Furo[3, 2-b] pyrr0l-3-ones as cathespin s inhibitors

ABSTRACT

A first aspect of the invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, complex or pro-drug thereof, 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein:
 
one of R 3  and R 4  is H, and the other is selected from C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -haloalkyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy, and C 6-12 -aralkyl;
 
or R 3  and R 4  are each independently selected from C 1-6 -alkyl and halo;
 
R 9  is a substituted 5 or 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group or a 6,5- or 6,6-fused biaryl or heterobiaryl group.
 
     Compounds of formula (I) exhibit surprisingly high efficacies for human cathepsin S, excellent selectivity verses other mammalian cathepsins and are useful for treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, transplant rejection, diabetes, Sjogrens syndrome, Grave&#39;s disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, allergic rhinitis, asthma, atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic pain.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional patent application of U.S. Ser. No.13/745,413, filed Jan. 13, 2013, which is a Divisional patentapplication of U.S. Ser. No. 12/853,005, filed Aug. 9, 2010, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,389,737 issued Mar. 5, 2013, which is a Continuation patentapplication that claims priority to PCT patent application numberPCT/GB2009/000653, filed Mar. 11, 2009, which claims the priority toGreat Britain patent application number 0804701.1, filed on Mar. 13,2008, the entirety of which are herein incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to compounds that are inhibitors ofcysteine proteinases, pharmaceutical compositions containing saidcompounds, and their use in therapy. More specifically, the inventionrelates to compounds that are inhibitors of cathepsin S, a cysteineproteinase of the CA clan. Such compounds are particularly useful forthe in vivo therapeutic treatment of diseases in which participation ofcathepsin S is implicated.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Proteinases form a substantial group of biological molecules which todate constitute approximately 2% of all the gene products identifiedfollowing analysis of several completed genome sequencing programmes.Proteinases have evolved to participate in an enormous range ofbiological processes, mediating their effect by cleavage of peptideamide bonds within the myriad of proteins found in nature. Thishydrolytic action is performed by initially recognising, then bindingto, particular three-dimensional electronic surfaces displayed by aprotein, which align the bond for cleavage precisely within theproteinase catalytic site. Catalytic hydrolysis then commences throughnucleophilic attack of the amide bond to be cleaved either via an aminoacid side-chain of the proteinase itself, or through the action of awater molecule that is bound to and activated by the proteinase.Proteinases in which the attacking nucleophile is the thiol side-chainof a Cys residue are known as cysteine proteinases. The generalclassification of ‘cysteine proteinase’ contains many members found in awide range of organisms from viruses, bacteria, protozoa, plants andfungi to mammals.

Cathepsin S and indeed many other crucial mammalian proteinases belongto the papain-like CAC1 family (see Barrett, A. J et al, in ‘Handbook ofProteolytic Enzymes’, Eds. Barrett, A. J., Rawlings, N. D., andWoessner, J. F. Publ. Academic Press, 1998, for a thorough discussion).

To date, cysteine proteinases have been classified into five clans, CA,CB, CC, CD and CE (Barrett, A. J. et al, 1998). A proteinase from thetropical papaya fruit ‘papain’ forms the foundation of clan CA, whichcurrently contains over 80 distinct and complete entries in varioussequence databases, with many more expected from the current genomesequencing efforts. Proteinases of clan CA/family C1 have beenimplicated in a multitude of house-keeping roles and disease processes,e.g. human proteinases such as cathepsin K (osteoporosis,osteoarthritis), cathepsin S (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis,autoimmune disorders), cathepsin L (metastases), cathepsin B(metastases, arthritis), cathepsin F (antigen processing), cathepsin V(T-cell selection), dipeptidyl peptidase I (granulocyte serineproteinase activation) or parasitic proteinases such as falcipain(malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum) and cruzipain (Trypanosomacruzi infection).

There currently exists a major unmet need for safe orally administeredmedications for the treatment of immune-based inflammatory diseases suchas rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, asthma,atherosclerosis etc. The therapeutic inhibition of cathepsin S has beenof great interest to the pharmaceutical industry as a potential targetfor immune system modulation. Cathepsin S is a lysosomal cysteineproteinase that is specifically up-regulated under inflammatoryconditions. It is highly expressed in the spleen, in professionalantigen presenting cells (APC's) and other MHC class II-positive cellsand is inducible by IFN-γ. Intracellular cathepsin S specificallyprocesses invariant chain, a protein involved in the correct loading ofMHC-II with antigen (a key step in generating an immune response) (seeShi, G. P. et al., Immunity, 10(2). 197-206, 1999; Lui, W. and Spero, D.M. Drug News Perspect. 17(6), 357-363, 2004). The MHC-II/antigen complexis then displayed on the surface of the APC, for interaction with andactivation of T-cells. Disrupting antigen presentation represents avalidated approach to treating diseases with an autoimmune componentsuch as rheumatoid arthritis (e.g. see Podolin, P. L., et al., InflammRes 50: S159. 2001), multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis.

As well as its intracellular role in antigen presentation, cathepsin Sis secreted from macrophages infiltrating sites of inflammation, to aidproteolysis of proteins and facilitate phagocytosis. However, in chronicinflammatory situations cathepsin S is responsible for degradation ofstructural tissue proteins and also mediates pain. Cathepsin S has beenimplicated in the destruction of articular cartilage in rheumatoid andosteoarthritis (e.g. see Hou, W-S. et al, Arthritis and Rheumatism,46(3), 663-674, 2002 and refs cited therein), vascular tissue damage inatherosclerosis (e.g. see Rodgers, K. J. et al., Arterioscler. Thromb.Vasc. Biol. 26, 851-6, 2006) and lung tissue damage in chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (e.g. see Shapiro, S. D. Biochem. Soc.Trans. 30(2), 98-102, 2002 and refs cited therein). Therefore aninhibitor of cathepsin S has the potential to tackle both diseasesmediated through antigen presentation and extracellular matrix damage.

Additionally, cathepsin S has been shown to be critical for themaintenance of neuropathic pain and spinal microglia activation inperipheral nerve-injured rats (see Clark, A. K. et al., Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA, 104(25), 10655-10660, 2007; Barclay, J., et al., Pain,130(3), 225-234, 2007). Therefore inhibition of cathepsin S hastherapeutic potential in the treatment of neuropathic pain (e.g. seeWO-A-03020287).

In the prior art, the development of cysteine proteinase inhibitors forhuman use has recently been an area of intense activity (e.g. seeDeaton, D. N. and Kumar, S., Prog. Med. Chem. 42, 245-375, 2004; Bromme,D. and Kaleta, J., Curr. Pharm. Des., 8, 1639-1658, 2002; Kim, W. andKang, K., Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 12(3), 419-432, 2002; Leung-Toung,R. et al. Curr. Med. Chem., 9, 979-1002, 2002; Lecaille, F. et al.,Chem. Rev., 102, 4459-4488, 2002; Hernandez, A. A. and Roush, W. R.,Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol., 6, 459-465, 2002; Link, J. O. and Zipfel, S.Curr. Opin. Drug Discov. Dev., 9(4), 471-482, 2006). Considering theCAC1 family members, particular emphasis has been placed upon thedevelopment of inhibitors of human cathepsins, primarily cathepsin K(osteoporosis) and cathepsin S (autoimmune disorders) through the use ofcovalent-bound but reversible peptide and peptidomimetic nitriles (e.g.see Bekkali, Y. et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 17(9), 2465-2469, 2007;WO-A-07137738, WO-A-07003056), linear and cyclic peptide andpeptidomimetic ketones (e.g. see Veber, D. F. and Thompson, S. K., Curr.Opin. Drug Discovery Dev., 3(4), 362-369, 2000; WO-A-02057270,WO-A-04007501, WO-A-06064286, WO-A-05066180, WO-A-0069855),ketoheterocycles (e.g. see Palmer, J. T. et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem.Lett., 16(11), 2909-2914, 2006, WO-A-04000838), α-ketoamides (e.g. seeWO-A-06102243), cyanoamides (WO-A-01077073, WO-A-01068645) andarylnitriles (e.g. see WO-A-07080191, WO-A-07039470, WO-A-06018284,WO-A-05121106, WO-A-04000843). Inhibition of CAC1 proteases bynon-covalent bound compounds has been extensively described in theliterature. Particular emphasis has been placed upon inhibition ofcathepsin K and cathepsin S by arylaminoethylamides (e.g. see Altmann,E., et al, J. Med. Chem., 45(12), 2352-2354, 2002; Chatterjee, A. K. etal, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 17(10), 2899-2903, 2007; US-20050113356,US-20050107368, US-20050118568) and substituted pyrazoles or piperidines(e.g. see Wei, J., et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 17(20), 5525-5528,2007; US-2007117785, US-2003073672, WO-A-02020013).

Thus the extensive prior art describes potent in vitro inhibitors ofcathepsin S and inhibitors showing efficacy in numerous animal models ofdisease. However, the many difficulties in developing a humantherapeutic for inhibition of cathepsin S are also evident sincepresently only one compound is in clinical development (RWJ-445380 forrheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis).

Recently, Quibell, M. (WO-A-02057270) described a new motif for thegeneral inhibition of CAC1 proteinases based upon a cis-5,5-bicyclicketone (1).

Based upon this motif, highly potent and selective inhibitors ofcathepsin K were discovered (see WO-A-0807109, WO-A-0807103,WO-A-0807130, WO-A-0807114, WO-A-0807127, WO-A-0807107, WO-A-0807112).The present inventors have now discovered a small genus of6-(S)-chlorotetrahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-ones that exhibit potent andselective in vitro inhibition versus human cathepsin S.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention relates to a compound of formula (I), ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, complex or pro-drugthereof,

wherein:one of R³ and R⁴ is H, and the other is selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl,C₁₋₆-haloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂-aralkyl;or R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl and halo;R⁹ is selected from the following:

wherein:X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ are each independently selectedfrom:

-   -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N;        such that a maximum of two of X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and        X₂₀ are selected from N, C-halo and C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy);        X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo, N and C—OH;        such that a maximum of one of X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ is N, C-halo,        C—OH or C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy);        X₉ and X₁₂ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N;        X₁₀ and X₁₁ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo, N and R₁₀;        X₁₉ is selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—C(O)NH₂,        C—C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N;        X₁₈ is selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,        C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—NHC(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C-halo and N;    -   or when X₁₉ is CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), or C-halo then X₁₈ may        additionally be selected from C—C(O)NH₂ and        C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂;        X₁₃ and X₁₇ are each independently selected from:    -   O, S, NH and N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        X₂₂ and X₂₄ are each independently selected from:    -   CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), O, S, NH, NMe and        C═O;        X₂₃ is selected from:    -   CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, NH and NMe;    -   or when either X₂₂ or X₂₄ are other than        C═O then X₂₃ may additionally be        C═O or        S(O)₂;        X₂₅ is selected from:    -   O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N;        such that a maximum of two of X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are selected        from C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N;        X₃₀ is selected from:    -   CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe, O, S and        C═O;        X₃₁ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH and NMe;    -   or when X₃₀ is other than        C═O, O or S then X₃₁ may additionally be        C═O or O;        X₃₂ is selected from:    -   CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe and        C═O;        X₃₃ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH and NMe;    -   or when X₃₂ is other than        C═O then X₃₃ may additionally be        C═O or O;        X₃₄ is selected from:    -   NH and NMe;        R₁₀ is selected from:

wherein:T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are each independently selected from:

-   -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N;        such that a maximum of one of T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ is        C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂ or        C-halo;        T₅ is selected from:    -   O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N;        such that a maximum of two of T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are        selected from C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N;        T₁₁ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        T₁₂ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and        C═O;        T₁₃ and T₁₄ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and C-halo;        T₁₅ is selected from:    -   O, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        T₁₆ is selected from:    -   CH₂ and        C═O;        or R₁₀ is selected from:    -   H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, NO₂, halo, CN, C(O)NH₂,        C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),        S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and        (CH₂)_(n)—NR¹¹R¹²;        wherein n is 0 or 1;        and R¹¹ is selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl,        C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl), S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and S(O)₂(aryl);        and R¹² is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl.        R₁₃ is selected from:    -   C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,        C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,        S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and (CH₂)_(n)—NR¹⁴R¹⁵;        wherein n is 0 or 1;        and R¹⁴ is selected from H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl,        C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl), S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and S(O)₂(aryl);        and R¹⁵ is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl.

Compounds of formula (I) exhibit surprisingly high efficacies for humancathepsin S. In addition, preferred compounds of formula (I) exhibitsurprisingly poor in vitro potency verses other human cathepsins.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceutical orveterinary composition comprising a compound of formula (I) and apharmaceutically acceptable or veterinarily acceptable diluent,excipient and/or carrier.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a process for preparing apharmaceutical or veterinary composition as defined above, said processcomprising admixing a compound of the invention with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable or veterinarily acceptable diluent, excipient and/or carrier.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to compounds of formula (I) foruse in medicine.

A fifth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound offormula (I) in the preparation of a medicament for treating a diseaseselected from rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myastheniagravis, transplant rejection, diabetes, Sjogrens syndrome, Grave'sdisease, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis,idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, allergic rhinitis, asthma,atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease andchronic pain.

A sixth aspect of the invention relates to a method of inhibitingcathepsin S in a cell, said method comprising contacting said cell witha compound of formula (I).

A seventh aspect of the invention relates to method of inhibitingcathepsin S in a subject, said method comprising administering to thesubject a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound of formula(I).

An eighth aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating adisease selected from rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis,myasthenia gravis, transplant rejection, diabetes, Sjogrens syndrome,Grave's disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis,psoriasis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, allergic rhinitis,asthma, atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseand chronic pain, in a subject, said method comprising administering tothe subject a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound offormula (I).

A ninth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compoundaccording to the invention in an assay for identifying further candidatecompounds capable of inhibiting one or more cysteine proteinases.

A tenth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound offormula (I) in the validation of a known or putative cysteine proteinaseas a therapeutic target.

An eleventh aspect of the invention relates to a process of preparing acompound of formula (I).

An eleventh aspect of the invention relates to a compound of formula (I)for treating a disease selected from rheumatoid arthritis, multiplesclerosis, myasthenia gravis, transplant rejection, diabetes, Sjogrenssyndrome, Grave's disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis,psoriasis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, allergic rhinitis,asthma, atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseand chronic pain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term ‘alkyl’ as applied herein includes stable straight and branchedchain aliphatic carbon chains which may be optionally substituted.Preferred examples include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, heptyl and any simpleisomers thereof. Suitable substituents include, for example, one or moreC₁₋₆ alkoxy, OH, COOH, COOMe, NH₂, NMe₂, NHMe, NO₂, CN and/or CF₃groups. Additionally, where the alkyl group contains two or morecontiguous carbon atoms, an alkene group (—CH═CH—) or alkyne group(—C≡C—) may be present. Furthermore, the alkyl group may optionallycontain one or more heteroatoms for example, to give ethers, thioethers,sulphones, sulphonamides, substituted amines, amidines, guanidines,carboxylic acids, carboxamides. If the heteroatom is located at a chainterminus then it is appropriately substituted with one or two hydrogenatoms. For example, the group CH₃—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂— is defined within‘alkyl’ as a C₄ alkyl that contains a centrally positioned heteroatomwhereas the group CH₃—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— is defined within ‘alkyl’ as anunsubstituted C₄ alkyl. Preferably, the alkyl group is a C₁₋₆ alkylgroup, more preferably a C₁₋₄ group.

The term ‘cycloalkyl’ as applied herein refers to a cyclic alkyl group(i.e. a carbocyclic ring) which may be substituted (mono- or poly-) orunsubstituted. Suitable substituents include, for example, one or moreC₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, OH, COOH, COOMe, NH₂, NMe₂, NHMe, NO₂, CN, CF₃and/or halo groups. Preferably, the cycloalkyl group is aC₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, even more preferably a C₃₋₄ cycloalkyl group. Examplesinclude cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.In addition, the carbocyclic ring itself may optionally contain one ormore heteroatoms, for example, to give a heterocycloalkyl group such astetrahydrofuran, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine or morpholine.

The term ‘alkyoxy’ refers to the group ‘O-alkyl’ or ‘O-cycloalkyl’,wherein alkyl and cycloalkyl are as defined above.

‘Halogen’ or ‘halo’ as applied herein encompasses F, Cl, Br, I.

The term ‘haloalkyl’ refers to an alkyl group as defined abovesubstituted by one or more halogen atoms.

As used herein, the term ‘aryl’ refers to a stable 5 or 6-memberedmonocylic ring which is unsaturated. The aryl group may optionallyinclude one or more heteroatoms selected from O, N and S. In addition,the aryl group may be optionally substituted, for example, by one ormore C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, OH, COOH, COOMe, NH₂, NMe₂, NHMe, NO₂, CN,CF₃ and/or halo groups. More preferably, the aryl group may beoptionally substituted by one or more Me, OMe, OEt, OiPr, NO₂, Cl or Fgroups.

The term ‘aralkyl’ as applied herein includes an alkyl group as definedabove in combination with an aryl group. The aryl group may be anaromatic ring, for example, a stable 5 or 6-membered monocylic or astable 9 or 10-membered bicyclic ring which is unsaturated. The arylgroup may optionally comprise one or more heteroatoms selected from O, Nand S. In addition, the aryl group may be optionally substituted, forexample, by one or more C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, OH, COOH, COOMe, NH₂,NMe₂, NHMe, NO₂, CN, CF₃ and/or halo groups. Preferably, the aralkylgroup is a C₁₋₈-alkyl-C₅₋₁₀-aryl group, even more preferably aC₁₋₈-alkyl-phenyl group. More preferably still, the alkyl-aryl group isselected from CH₂Ph and CH₂OCH₂Ph.

The present invention includes all salts, hydrates, solvates, complexesand prodrugs of the compounds of this invention. The term “compound” isintended to include all such salts, hydrates, solvates, complexes andprodrugs, unless the context requires otherwise.

In particular, the skilled person will appreciate that the ketone groupof the bicycle core of compounds of formula (I) may exist in alternativeforms such as the hydrate (as shown below), and the invention extends toall such alternative forms.

Abbreviations and symbols commonly used in the peptide and chemical artsare used herein to describe compounds of the present invention,following the general guidelines presented by the IUPAC-IUB JointCommission on Biochemical Nomenclature as described in Eur. J. Biochem.,158, 9-, 1984. Compounds of formula (I) and the intermediates andstarting materials used in their preparation are named in accordancewith the IUPAC rules of nomenclature in which the characteristic groupshave decreasing priority for citation as the principle group.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention:

one of R³ and R⁴ is H, and the other is selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl,C₁₋₆-haloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂-aralkyl;or R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl and halo;R⁹ is selected from the following:

wherein:X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ are each independently selectedfrom:

-   -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N;        such that a maximum of two of X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and        X₂₀ are selected from N, C-halo and C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy);        X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo, N and C—OH;        such that a maximum of one of X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ is N, C-halo,        C—OH or C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy);        X₉ and X₁₂ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N;        X₁₀ and X₁₁ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo, N and R₁₀;        X₁₉ is selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—C(O)NH₂,        C—C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N;        X₁₈ is selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,        C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—NHC(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C-halo and N;    -   or when X₁₉ is CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), or C-halo then X₁₈ may        additionally be selected from C—C(O)NH₂ and        C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂;        X₁₃ and X₁₇ are each independently selected from:    -   O, S, NH and N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        X₂₂ and X₂₄ are each independently selected from:    -   CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), O, S, NH and        C═O;        X₂₃ is selected from:    -   CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂ and NH;    -   or when either X₂₂ or X₂₄ are other than        C═O then X₂₃ may additionally be        C═O;        X₂₅ is selected from:    -   O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N;        such that a maximum of two of X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are selected        from C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N;        R₁₀ is selected from:

wherein:T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are each independently selected from:

-   -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N;        such that a maximum of one of T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ is        C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂ or        C-halo;        T₅ is selected from:    -   O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N;        such that a maximum of two of T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are        selected from C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),        C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N;        T₁₁ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        T₁₂ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and        C═O;        T₁₃ and T₁₄ are each independently selected from:    -   CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and C-halo;        T₁₅ is selected from:    -   O, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl);        T₁₆ is selected from:    -   CH₂ and        C═O;        or R₁₀ is selected from:    -   H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, NO₂, halo, CN, C(O)NH₂,        C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, and (CH₂)_(n)—NR¹¹R¹²;        wherein n is 0 or 1        and R¹¹ is selected from H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, acetyl, C(O)NH₂,        C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂:        and R¹² is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention:

R³ is H and R⁴ is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy and benzyl:or both R³ and R⁴ are selected from methyl or fluoro or chloro;X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ are independently selected from:

-   -   CH, CMe, C—OMe, C—F, C—Cl and N:        such that a maximum of two of X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and        X₂₀ are chosen as N or C—Cl or C—OMe;        X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are independently selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C-OMe, C—F, C—Cl, N and OH;        such that a maximum of one of X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ is chosen as N        or C—Cl or C—OH or C-OMe;        X₉ and X₁₂ are independently selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C-OMe, C—F, C—Cl and N;        X₁₀ and X₁₁ are independently selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C-OMe, C—F, C—Cl, N and R₁₀;        X₁₉ is selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C-OMe, C—C(O)NH₂, C—C(O)NMe₂, C—F, C—Cl and N;        X₁₈ is selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C-OMe, C—NH₂, C-NMe₂, C—NHMe, C—NHC(O)Me, C—F, C—CH and        N;    -   or when X₁₉ is CH, CMe or C—F then X₁₈ may additionally be        selected from C—C(O)NH₂ and C—C(O)NMe₂;        X₁₃ and X₁₇ are independently selected from:    -   O, S, NH and NMe.        X₂₂ and X₂₄ are independently selected from:    -   CH₂, CHMe, O, S, NH, NMe and        C═O;        X₂₃ is selected from:    -   CH₂, CHMe, CMe₂, NH and NMe;    -   or when either X₂₂ or X₂₄ are other than        C═O then X₂₃ may additionally be        C═O or        S(O)₂;        X₂₅ is selected from:    -   O, S, NH and NMe;        X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are independently selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C-OMe, C—F, C—Cl, C—Br and N;        such that a maximum of two of X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are chosen        as C-OMe, C—Cl, C—Br and N;        X₃₀ is selected from:    -   CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe, O, S and        C═O;        X₃₁ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH and NMe;    -   or when X₃₀ is other than        C═O, O or S then X₃₁ may additionally be        C═O or O;        X₃₂ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH, NMe and        C═O;        X₃₃ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH and NMe;    -   or when X₃₂ is other than        C═O then X₃₃ may additionally be        C═O or O;        X₃₄ is selected from:    -   NH and NMe;        T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C-OMe, C—NH₂, C—NHMe, C-NMe₂, C—F, C—Cl and N:        such that a maximum of one of T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ is chosen as        C-OMe, C—NH₂, C—NHMe, C-NMe₂, C—F and C—Cl;        T₅ is selected from:    -   O, S, NH and NMe.        T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are independently selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C-OMe, C—NH₂, C—NHMe, C-NMe₂, C—F, C—Cl and N:        such that a maximum of two of T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are chosen        as C-OMe, C—NH₂, C—NHMe, C-NMe₂, C—F, C—Cl and N;        T₁₁ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH and NMe;        T₁₂ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH, NMe and        C═O;        T₁₃ and T₁₄ are independently selected from:    -   CH, CMe, C—F and C—Cl;        T₁₅ is selected from:    -   O, NH and NMe;        T₁₆ is selected from:    -   CH₂ and        C═O;        or R₁₀ is selected from:    -   H, Me, OH, OMe, OEt, OiPr, NO₂, F, Cl, Br, CN, C(O)NH₂,        C(O)NHMe, C(O)NMe₂, and (CH₂)_(n)—NR¹¹R¹²:        wherein n=0 or 1        and R¹¹ is selected from H, Me, acetyl, C(O)NH₂, C(O)NMe₂:        and R¹² is selected from H and Me;        R₁₃ is selected from:    -   C(O)NH₂, C(O)NHMe, C(O)N(Me)₂, C(O)NH(cyclopropyl), S(O)₂NH₂,        S(O)₂(Me), S(O)₂NH(Me), S(O)₂N(Me)₂, S(O)₂NH(cyclopropyl) and        (CH₂)_(n)—NR¹⁴R¹⁵;        wherein n is 0 or 1;        and R¹⁴ is selected from H, Me, C(O)Me, C(O)(cyclopropyl),        C(O)Ph, C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(Me), C(O)N(Me)₂, C(O)NH(cyclopropyl),        C(O)O(Me), C(O)O(cyclopropyl), C(O)OPh, S(O)₂(Me),        S(O)₂(cyclopropyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂NH(Me), S(O)₂N(Me)₂,        S(O)₂NH(cyclopropyl) and S(O)₂Ph;        and R¹⁵ is selected from H and Me.

In one preferred embodiment, the compound of the invention is of formulaIa

wherein R³, R⁴ and R⁹ are as defined above.

In an even more preferred embodiment, the compound of the invention isof formula Ib

wherein R³, R⁴ and R⁹ are as defined above.

In one preferred embodiment, R³ is selected from H and R⁴ is selectedfrom methyl, ethyl, propyl, trifluoromethyl and benzyl.

In another preferred embodiment, both R³ and R⁴ are selected as methyl,fluoro or chloro.

In an even more preferred embodiment, both R³ and R⁴ are selected asmethyl such that the central amino acid moiety is derived from(S)-2-amino-2-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 754178-25-1).

In a yet even more preferred embodiment, R³ is H and R⁴ is methyl suchthat the central amino acid moiety is derived from the trans configured(S)-2-amino-2-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)acetic acid as shown informula Ic.

wherein R⁹ is as defined above.

In one preferred embodiment, R⁹ is selected from:

wherein X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅, X₆, X₇, X₈, X₉, X₁₀, X₁₁, X₁₃, X₁₄, X₁₅,X₁₆, X₁₇, X₁₈, X₁₉, X₂₂, X₂₃, X₂₄, X₂₅, X₃₀, X₃₁, X₃₄, R₁₀ and R₁₃ areas defined above.

In one preferred embodiment R⁹ is selected from:

wherein X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅, X₆, X₇, X₈, X₉, X₁₀, X₁₁, X₁₃, X₁₄, X₁₅,X₁₆, X₁₇, X₁₈, X₁₉, X₂₅, X₃₀, X₃₁, R₁₀ and R₁₃ are as defined above.

In one preferred embodiment R⁹ is selected from:

wherein X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₇, X₁₀, X₁₇, X₁₈, X₁₉, X₂₅, X₃₀, X₃₁, R₁₀ andR₁₄ are as defined above.

In one preferred embodiment, R₁₀ is selected from:

wherein T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄, T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are as defined above.

In an even more preferred embodiment, R₁₀ is:

wherein one, two or three of T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are N and the remainderare CH.

In another preferred embodiment, R₁₀ is selected from:

wherein one of T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ is N and the remainder are CH.

In one preferred embodiment R⁹ is selected from:

wherein aryl, X₁₈, X₁₉, X₂₃, X₂₅ are as defined above and;X₂ and X₃ are each independently selected from:

-   -   CH, CMe and C—F;        X₃₀ is selected from:    -   CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe and O;        X₃₁ is selected from:    -   CH₂, NH and NMe;    -   or when X₃₀ is NH or NMe then X₃₁ may additionally be        C═O;        and R¹⁴ is selected from C(O)Me, C(O)(cyclopropyl), C(O)NH₂,        C(O)NH(Me), C(O)N(Me)₂, C(O)NH(cyclopropyl), C(O)O(Me),        C(O)O(cyclopropyl), S(O)₂(Me), S(O)₂(cyclopropyl), S(O)₂NH₂,        S(O)₂NH(Me), S(O)₂N(Me)₂, S(O)₂NH(cyclopropyl) and S(O)₂Ph.

In a yet even more preferred embodiment R⁹ is selected from:

wherein X₁₈ is as defined above.

In one highly preferred embodiment, R⁹ is selected from:

In one highly preferred embodiment, the compound of the invention isselected from the following:

-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)nicotinamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)isonicotinamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)furan-2-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-6-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzo[d]thiazole-6-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole-5-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1H-indole-5-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-6-hydroxypicolinamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzo[d][1,3]dioxole-5-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2,3-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline-6-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-6-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazine-7-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-7-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-4-(methylsulfonamido)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)nicotinamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)isonicotinamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)furan-2-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-6-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzo[d]thiazole-6-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole-5-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1H-indole-5-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-6-hydroxypicolinamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzo[d][1,3]dioxole-5-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2,3-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline-6-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-6-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazine-7-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-7-carboxamide-   N—((S)-2-((3    aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-4-(methylsulfonamido)benzamide

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the compound of the inventionis selected from Examples 1-22 described hereinbelow.

Even more preferably, the compound of the invention is selected fromExamples 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21 and 22 described hereinbelow.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

A further aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a compound of the invention admixed with one ormore pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, excipients or carriers. Otheractive materials may also be present, as may be considered appropriateor advisable for the disease or condition being treated or prevented.

Even though the compounds of the present invention (including theirpharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and pharmaceuticallyacceptable solvates) can be administered alone, they will generally beadministered in admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier, excipient ordiluent, particularly for human therapy. The pharmaceutical compositionsmay be for human or animal usage in human and veterinary medicine.

Examples of such suitable excipients for the various different forms ofpharmaceutical compositions described herein may be found in the“Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 2^(nd) Edition, (1994), Editedby A Wade and P J Weller. The carrier, or, if more than one be present,each of the carriers, must be acceptable in the sense of beingcompatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and notdeleterious to the recipient.

Acceptable carriers or diluents for therapeutic use are well known inthe pharmaceutical art, and are described, for example, in Remington'sPharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co. (A. R. Gennaro edit. 1985).

Examples of suitable carriers include lactose, starch, glucose, methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, sorbitol and the like. Examplesof suitable diluents include ethanol, glycerol and water.

The choice of pharmaceutical carrier, excipient or diluent can beselected with regard to the intended route of administration andstandard pharmaceutical practice. The pharmaceutical compositions maycomprise as, or in addition to, the carrier, excipient or diluent anysuitable binder(s), lubricant(s), suspending agent(s), coating agent(s),solubilising agent(s).

Examples of suitable binders include starch, gelatin, natural sugarssuch as glucose, anhydrous lactose, free-flow lactose, beta-lactose,corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums, such as acacia, tragacanthor sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose and polyethylene glycol.

Examples of suitable lubricants include sodium oleate, sodium stearate,magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride andthe like.

Preservatives, stabilizers, dyes and even flavoring agents may beprovided in the pharmaceutical composition. Examples of preservativesinclude sodium benzoate, sorbic acid and esters of p-hydroxybenzoicacid. Antioxidants and suspending agents may be also used.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided aprocess for the preparation of a pharmaceutical or veterinarycomposition as described above, the process comprising bringing theactive compound(s) into association with the carrier, for example byadmixture.

In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimatelybringing into association the active agent with liquid carriers orfinely divided solid carriers or both, and then if necessary shaping theproduct. The invention extends to methods for preparing a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising bringing a compound of general formula (I) inconjunction or association with a pharmaceutically or veterinarilyacceptable carrier or vehicle.

Salts/Esters

The compounds of the invention can be present as salts or esters, inparticular pharmaceutically and veterinarily acceptable salts or esters.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the inventioninclude suitable acid addition or base salts thereof. A review ofsuitable pharmaceutical salts may be found in Berge et al, J Pharm Sci,66, 1-19 (1977). Salts are formed, for example with strong inorganicacids such as mineral acids, e.g. hydrohalic acids such ashydrochloride, hydrobromide and hydroiodide, sulphuric acid, phosphoricacid sulphate, bisulphate, hemisulphate, thiocyanate, persulphate andsulphonic acids; with strong organic carboxylic acids, such asalkanecarboxylic acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted orsubstituted (e.g., by halogen), such as acetic acid; with saturated orunsaturated dicarboxylic acids, for example oxalic, malonic, succinic,maleic, fumaric, phthalic or tetraphthalic; with hydroxycarboxylicacids, for example ascorbic, glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric or citricacid; with aminoacids, for example aspartic or glutamic acid; withbenzoic acid; or with organic sulfonic acids, such as (C₁-C₄)-alkyl- oraryl-sulfonic acids which are unsubstituted or substituted (for example,by a halogen) such as methane- or p-toluene sulfonic acid. Salts whichare not pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable may still bevaluable as intermediates.

Preferred salts include, for example, acetate, trifluoroacetate,lactate, gluconate, citrate, tartrate, maleate, malate, pantothenate,adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate, butyrate, digluconate,cyclopentanate, glucoheptanate, glycerophosphate, oxalate, heptanoate,hexanoate, fumarate, nicotinate, palmoate, pectinate,3-phenylpropionate, picrate, pivalate, proprionate, tartrate,lactobionate, pivolate, camphorate, undecanoate and succinate, organicsulphonic acids such as methanesulphonate, ethanesulphonate,2-hydroxyethane sulphonate, camphorsulphonate, 2-naphthalenesulphonate,benzenesulphonate, p-chlorobenzenesulphonate and p-toluenesulphonate;and inorganic acids such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide,sulphate, bisulphate, hemisulphate, thiocyanate, persulphate, phosphoricand sulphonic acids.

Esters are formed either using organic acids or alcohols/hydroxides,depending on the functional group being esterified. Organic acidsinclude carboxylic acids, such as alkanecarboxylic acids of 1 to 12carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or substituted (e.g., by halogen),such as acetic acid; with saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acid,for example oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, phthalic ortetraphthalic; with hydroxycarboxylic acids, for example ascorbic,glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric or citric acid; with aminoacids, forexample aspartic or glutamic acid; with benzoic acid; or with organicsulfonic acids, such as (C₁-C₄)-alkyl- or aryl-sulfonic acids which areunsubstituted or substituted (for example, by a halogen) such asmethane- or p-toluene sulfonic acid. Suitable hydroxides includeinorganic hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide,calcium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide. Alcohols include alkanealcoholsof 1-12 carbon atoms which may be unsubstituted or substituted, e.g. bya halogen).

Enantiomers/Tautomers

In all aspects of the present invention previously discussed, theinvention includes, where appropriate all enantiomers, diastereoisomersand tautomers of the compounds of the invention. The person skilled inthe art will recognise compounds that possess optical properties (one ormore chiral carbon atoms) or tautomeric characteristics. Thecorresponding enantiomers and/or tautomers may be isolated/prepared bymethods known in the art.

Enantiomers are characterised by the absolute configuration of theirchiral centres and described by the R- and S-sequencing rules of Cahn,Ingold and Prelog. Such conventions are well known in the art (e.g. see‘Advanced Organic Chemistry’, 3^(rd) edition, ed. March, J., John Wileyand Sons, New York, 1985).

Compounds of the invention containing a chiral centre may be used as aracemic mixture, an enantiomerically enriched mixture, or the racemicmixture may be separated using well-known techniques and an individualenantiomer may be used alone.

Stereo and Geometric Isomers

Some of the compounds of the invention may exist as stereoisomers and/orgeometric isomers—e.g. they may possess one or more asymmetric and/orgeometric centres and so may exist in two or more stereoisomeric and/orgeometric forms. The present invention contemplates the use of all theindividual stereoisomers and geometric isomers of those inhibitoragents, and mixtures thereof. The terms used in the claims encompassthese forms, provided said forms retain the appropriate functionalactivity (though not necessarily to the same degree).

The present invention also includes all suitable isotopic variations ofthe agent or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. An isotopicvariation of an agent of the present invention or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof is defined as one in which at least one atom isreplaced by an atom having the same atomic number but an atomic massdifferent from the atomic mass usually found in nature. Examples ofisotopes that can be incorporated into the agent and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen,oxygen, phosphorus, sulphur, fluorine and chlorine such as ²H, ³H, ¹³C,¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁷O, ¹⁸O, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F and ³⁶Cl, respectively. Certainisotopic variations of the agent and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, for example, those in which a radioactive isotope such as ³H or¹⁴C is incorporated, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissuedistribution studies. Tritiated, i.e., ³H, and carbon-14, i.e., ¹⁴C,isotopes are particularly preferred for their ease of preparation anddetectability. Further, substitution with isotopes such as deuterium,i.e., ²H, may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting fromgreater metabolic stability, for example, increased in vivo half-life orreduced dosage requirements and hence may be preferred in somecircumstances. For example, the invention includes compounds of generalformula (I) where any hydrogen atom has been replaced by a deuteriumatom. Isotopic variations of the agent of the present invention andpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof of this invention cangenerally be prepared by conventional procedures using appropriateisotopic variations of suitable reagents.

Prodrugs

The invention further includes the compounds of the present invention inprodrug form, i.e. covalently bonded compounds which release the activeparent drug according to general formula (I) in vivo. Such prodrugs aregenerally compounds of the invention wherein one or more appropriategroups have been modified such that the modification may be reversedupon administration to a human or mammalian subject. Reversion isusually performed by an enzyme naturally present in such subject, thoughit is possible for a second agent to be administered together with sucha prodrug in order to perform the reversion in vivo. Examples of suchmodifications include ester (for example, any of those described above),wherein the reversion may be carried out be an esterase etc. Other suchsystems will be well known to those skilled in the art.

A prodrug may for example constitute a ketal or hemiketal derivative ofthe exocyclic ketone functionality present in the6-(S)-chlorotetrahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-one scaffold.

Solvates

The present invention also includes solvate forms of the compounds ofthe present invention. The terms used in the claims encompass theseforms.

Polymorphs

The invention further relates to the compounds of the present inventionin their various crystalline forms, polymorphic forms and (an)hydrousforms. It is well established within the pharmaceutical industry thatchemical compounds may be isolated in any of such forms by slightlyvarying the method of purification and or isolation form the solventsused in the synthetic preparation of such compounds.

Assays

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of theinvention as defined hereinabove in an assay for identifying furthercandidate compounds that influence the activity of a cysteineproteinase.

Preferably, the assay is capable of identifying candidate compounds thatare capable of inhibiting one or more CAC1 cysteine proteinases.

More preferably, the assay is a competitive binding assay.

Preferably, the candidate compound is generated by conventional SARmodification of a compound of the invention.

As used herein, the term “conventional SAR modification” refers tostandard methods known in the art for varying a given compound by way ofchemical derivatisation.

Thus, in one aspect, the identified compound may act as a model (forexample, a template) for the development of other compounds. Thecompounds employed in such a test may be free in solution, affixed to asolid support, borne on a cell surface, or located intracellularly. Theabolition of activity or the formation of binding complexes between thecompound and the agent being tested may be measured.

The assay of the present invention may be a screen, whereby a number ofagents are tested. In one aspect, the assay method of the presentinvention is a high through-put screen.

This invention also contemplates the use of competitive drug screeningassays in which neutralising antibodies capable of binding a compoundspecifically compete with a test compound for binding to a compound.

Another technique for screening provides for high throughput screening(HTS) of agents having suitable binding affinity to the substances andis based upon the method described in detail in WO 84/03564.

It is expected that the assay methods of the present invention will besuitable for both small and large-scale screening of test compounds aswell as in quantitative assays.

Preferably, the competitive binding assay comprises contacting acompound of the invention with a cysteine proteinase in the presence ofa known substrate of said enzyme and detecting any change in theinteraction between said cysteine proteinase and said known substrate.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of detecting thebinding of a ligand to a cysteine proteinase, said method comprising thesteps of:

-   (i) contacting a ligand with cysteine proteinase in the presence of    a known substrate of said enzyme;-   (ii) detecting any change in the interaction between said enzyme and    said known substrate;    and wherein said ligand is a compound of the invention.

One aspect of the invention relates to a process comprising the stepsof:

-   (a) performing an assay method described hereinabove;-   (b) identifying one or more ligands capable of binding to a ligand    binding domain; and-   (c) preparing a quantity of said one or more ligands.

Another aspect of the invention provides a process comprising the stepsof:

-   (a) performing an assay method described hereinabove;-   (b) identifying one or more ligands capable of binding to a ligand    binding domain; and-   (c) preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising said one or    more ligands.

Another aspect of the invention provides a process comprising the stepsof:

-   (a) performing an assay method described hereinabove;-   (b) identifying one or more ligands capable of binding to a ligand    binding domain;-   (c) modifying said one or more ligands capable of binding to a    ligand binding domain;-   (d) performing the assay method described hereinabove;-   (e) optionally preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising    said one or more ligands.

The invention also relates to a ligand identified by the methoddescribed hereinabove.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a ligand identified by the method describedhereinabove.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a ligandidentified by the method described hereinabove in the preparation of apharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of one or moredisorders selected from rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis,myasthenia gravis, transplant rejection, diabetes, Sjogrens syndrome,Grave's disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis,psoriasis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, allergic rhinitis,asthma, atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseand chronic pain.

The above methods may be used to screen for a ligand useful as aninhibitor of one or more cysteine proteinases.

Compounds of general formula (I) are useful both as laboratory tools andas therapeutic agents. In the laboratory certain compounds of theinvention are useful in establishing whether a known or newly discoveredcysteine proteinase contributes a critical or at least significantbiochemical function during the establishment or progression of adisease state, a process commonly referred to as ‘target validation’.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of validating a known or putative cysteine proteinase as atherapeutic target, the method comprising:

-   (a) assessing the in vitro binding of a compound as described above    to an isolated known or putative cysteine proteinase, providing a    measure of potency; and optionally, one or more of the steps of:-   (b) assessing the binding of the compound to closely related    homologous proteinases of the target and general house-keeping    proteinases (e.g. trypsin) to provide a measure of selectivity;-   (c) monitoring a cell-based functional marker of a particular    cysteine proteinase activity, in the presence of the compound; and-   (d) monitoring an animal model-based functional marker of a    particular cysteine proteinase activity in the presence of the    compound.

The invention therefore provides a method of validating a known orputative cysteine proteinase as a therapeutic target. Differingapproaches and levels of complexity are appropriate to the effectiveinhibition and ‘validation’ of a particular target. In the firstinstance, the method comprises assessing the in vitro binding of acompound of general formula (I) to an isolated known or putativecysteine proteinase, providing a measure of ‘potency’. An additionalassessment of the binding of a compound of general formula (I) toclosely related homologous proteinases of the target and generalhouse-keeping proteinases (e.g. trypsin) provides a measure of‘selectivity’. A second level of complexity may be assessed bymonitoring a cell-based functional marker of a particular cysteineproteinase activity, in the presence of a compound of general formula(I). For example, an ‘osteoclast resorption assay’ has been utilised asa cell-based secondary in vitro testing system for monitoring theactivity of cathepsin K and the biochemical effect of proteinaseinhibitors (e.g. see WO-A-9850533). An ‘MHC-II processing—T-cellactivation assay’ has been utilised as a cell-based secondary in vitrotesting system for monitoring the activity of cathepsin S and thebiochemical effect of proteinase inhibitors (Shi, G-P., et al, Immunity,10, 197-206, 1999). When investigating viral or bacterial infectionssuch a marker could simply be a functional assessment of viral (e.g.count of mRNA copies) or bacterial loading and assessing the biochemicaleffect of proteinase inhibitors. A third level of complexity may beassessed by monitoring an animal model-based functional marker of aparticular cysteine proteinase activity, in the presence of a compoundof general formula (I). For example, murine models of Leishmaniainfection, P. vinckei infection, malaria (inhibition of falcipain) andT. cruzi infection (cruzipain), indicate that inhibition of cysteineproteinases that play a key role in pathogen propagation is effective inarresting disease symptoms, ‘validating’ said targets.

The invention therefore extends to the use of a compound of generalformula (I) in the validation of a known or putative cysteine proteinaseas a therapeutic target.

Biological Activity

The compounds of the present invention are structurally distinct fromthe prior art (e.g. WO-A-02057270; Quibell, M. et. al., Bioorg. Med.Chem. 13, 609-625, 2005; Quibell M, et al Bioorg. Med. Chem., 12,5689-5710, 2004; WO-A-05066180) in that a 6-(S)-chloro substituent and a4-substituted cyclohexylglycyl moiety form an integral part. Thiscombination of features provides compounds with surprisingly highefficacies for human cathepsin S and high in vitro selectivity versusother mammalian cathepsins, both of which are important propertiesrequired for development of an efficacious therapeutic. If either ofthese intrinsic moieties is removed from compounds of formula I, then asurprisingly large loss in potency and/or a significant loss inselectivity is observed. Indeed, all of the compounds of the presentinvention prepared to date exhibit potent and selective in vitroinhibition for human cathepsin S with Ki<25 nM. In contrast, themajority of the eighty-two prior art compounds detailed in WO-A-02057270are significantly less potent against human cathepsin S than thecompounds of the present invention, and in the majority of examples,greater than 100-fold less potent.

The closest prior art, compound (38) (see WO-A-02057270, pg 151),exhibits a 111-fold improvement in in vitro potency against humancathepsin S upon addition of a 6-(S)-chloro substituent and substitutionof the (S)-cyclohexylalanyl moiety withtrans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl (EXAMPLE 1). The surprisingsynergistic relationship between these two intrinsic changes is clearlyseen when comparing prior art compound (38) with novel compounds (1-6)and EXAMPLE 1. Prior art compound (38) exhibits a 2.5-fold improvementin in vitro potency against human cathepsin S upon substitution of the(S)-cyclohexylalanyl moiety with (S)-(cyclohexyl)glycyl (Compound 1) butprovides an inhibitor that has little selectivity verses cathepsin K.Further addition of a 6-(S)-fluoro substituent to Compound 1 provides a3.8-fold improvement in in vitro potency against human cathepsin S(Compound 2) but again provides an inhibitor that has little selectivityverses cathepsin K. Alternatively, addition of a 6-(S)-chlorosubstituent to Compound 1 provides a 27-fold improvement in in vitropotency against human cathepsin S (Compound 3) but again provides aninhibitor that has only a modest 4-fold selectivity verses cathepsin K.However, whilst substitution of the (S)-cyclohexylglycyl moiety ofCompound 1 with trans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl (Compound 4)only provides a modest 3-fold improvement in in vitro potency againsthuman cathepsin 5, the selectivity verses other mammalian cathepsins, inparticular cathepsin K, is dramatically increased to >65-fold. Incontrast, addition of a 6-(S)-chloro substituent to Compound 1 andsubstitution of the (S)-cyclohexylglycyl moiety withtrans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl (EXAMPLE 1) not only provides a45-fold improvement in potency but also gives an inhibitor with highselectivity against other mammalian cathepsins. The importance of bothof these modifications for compounds of formula I is clearly seen whencomparing EXAMPLE 1 with Compounds 5 and 6. Compound 5 which containsthe 6-(S)-fluoro substituent in place of the 6-(S)-chloro substituent ofEXAMPLE 1 is 5.6-fold less potent verses cathepsin 5, but retains thehigh selectivity due to presence of thetrans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl moiety. Compound 6 whichcontains the 6-(R)-chloro substituent in place of the 6-(S)-chlorosubstituent of EXAMPLE 1 is 15-fold less potent verses cathepsin 5, butagain retains the high selectivity due to presence of thetrans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl moiety.

By way of further comparison, consider novel compounds (7-12) andEXAMPLES 2 and 3. Addition of a 6-(S)-fluoro substituent to Compound 7provides a 3.4-fold improvement in in vitro potency against humancathepsin S (Compound 8), an inhibitor with a modest 6.8-foldselectivity verses cathepsin K. Alternatively, addition of a6-(S)-chloro substituent to Compound 7 provides a 47-fold improvement inin vitro potency against human cathepsin S (Compound 9), an inhibitorwith a modest 7.5-fold selectivity verses cathepsin K. However, whilstsubstitution of the (S)-cyclohexylglycyl moiety of Compound 7 withtrans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl (Compound 10) only provides amodest 2.2-fold improvement in in vitro potency against human cathepsinS, the selectivity verses other mammalian cathepsins, in particularcathepsin K, is dramatically increased to >125-fold. In contrast,addition of a 6-(S)-chloro substituent to Compound 7 and substitution ofthe (S)-cyclohexylglycyl moiety with atrans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl (EXAMPLE 2) or(S)-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)glycyl (EXAMPLE 3) not only provides asignificant improvement in potency verses cathepsin S (77-fold and15-fold respectively) but also gives an inhibitor with high selectivityagainst other mammalian cathepsins. Again the importance of both ofthese modifications for compounds of formula I is clearly seen whencomparing EXAMPLE 2 with Compounds 11 and 12. Compound 11 which containsthe 6-(S)-fluoro substituent in place of the 6-(S)-chloro substituent ofEXAMPLE 2 is 11-fold less potent verses cathepsin S, but retains thehigh selectivity due to presence of thetrans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl moiety. Compound 12 whichcontains the 6-(R)-chloro substituent in place of the 6-(S)-chlorosubstituent of EXAMPLE 2 is 25-fold less potent verses cathepsin S, butagain retains the high selectivity due to presence of thetrans-(S)-(4(S)-methylcyclohexyl)glycyl moiety.

Preferably, the compounds exhibit in vitro inhibition versus humancathepsin S with Ki<10 nM, more preferably <5 nM, even more preferably<2 nM and more preferably still <1 nM. The compounds of the inventionexhibit high selectivity against other mammalian cathepsins displayinglittle or no inhibitory activity for cathepsins K, L, B and V at 1 μMcompound.

Therapeutic Use

Compounds of general formula (I) are useful for the in vivo treatment orprevention of diseases in which participation of a cysteine proteinaseis implicated.

Preferably, the compound of general formula I is selective for cathepsinS. As used herein, the term “selective for cathepsin S” means that theinhibitor is selective for cathepsin S over one or more other mammalianCAC1 cysteinyl proteinases for example cathepsin K, cathepsin L,cathepsin F, cathepsin B and cathepsin V. Preferably, the inhibitorexhibits a selectivity ratio for cathepsin S over other mammalian CAC1cysteinyl proteinases of greater than 2-fold, more preferably greaterthan 5-fold, more preferably greater than 10-fold, even more preferablygreater than 25-fold, more preferably still, greater than 50-fold or100-fold.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided acompound of general formula (I) for use in medicine, especially forpreventing or treating diseases in which the disease pathology may bemodified by inhibiting a cysteine proteinase.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided theuse of a compound of general formula (I) in the preparation of amedicament for preventing or treating diseases in which the diseasepathology may be modified by inhibiting a cysteine proteinase.

Certain cysteine proteinases function in the normal physiologicalprocess of protein degradation in animals, including humans, e.g. in thedegradation of connective tissue. However, elevated levels of theseenzymes in the body can result in pathological conditions leading todisease. Thus, cysteine proteinases have been implicated in variousdisease states, including but not limited to, infections by Pneumocystiscarinii, Trypsanoma cruzi, Trypsanoma brucei brucei and Crithidiafusiculata; as well as in osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoidarthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, autoimmunity,schistosomiasis, malaria, tumour metastasis, metachromaticleukodystrophy, muscular dystrophy, amytrophy, and the like (seeWO-A-9404172 and EP-A-0603873 and references cited therein).Additionally, a secreted bacterial cysteine proteinase from S. Aureuscalled staphylopain has been implicated as a bacterial virulence factor(Potempa, J., et al. J. Biol. Chem, 262(6), 2664-2667, 1998).

The invention is useful in the prevention and/or treatment of each ofthe disease states mentioned or implied above. The present inventionalso is useful in a method of treatment or prevention of diseases causedby pathological levels of cysteine proteinases, particularly cysteineproteinases of the papain superfamily, which methods compriseadministering to an animal, particularly a mammal, most particularly ahuman, in need thereof a compound of the present invention. The presentinvention particularly provides methods for treating diseases in whichcysteine proteinases are implicated, including infections byPneumocystis carinii, Trypsanoma cruzi, Trypsanoma brucei, Leishmaniamexicana, Clostridium histolyticum, Staphylococcus aureus,foot-and-mouth disease virus and Crithidia fusiculata; as well as inosteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain,autoimmunity, schistosomiasis, malaria, tumour metastasis, metachromaticleukodystrophy, muscular dystrophy, amytrophy.

Inhibitors of cathepsin S, particularly cathepsin S-specific compounds,are useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, multiplesclerosis, myasthenia gravis, transplant rejection, diabetes, Sjogrenssyndrome, Grave's disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis,psoriasis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, allergic rhinitis,asthma, atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseand chronic pain. The compounds of the invention are particularly usefulin the treatment of the above disorders.

Preferred features for each aspect of the invention are as for eachother aspect mutatis mutandis.

Administration

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be adaptedfor rectal, nasal, intrabronchial, topical (including buccal andsublingual), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous,intramuscular, intravenous, intraarterial and intradermal),intraperitoneal or intrathecal administration. Preferably theformulation is an orally administered formulation. The formulations mayconveniently be presented in unit dosage form, i.e., in the form ofdiscrete portions containing a unit dose, or a multiple or sub-unit of aunit dose. By way of example, the formulations may be in the form oftablets and sustained release capsules, and may be prepared by anymethod well known in the art of pharmacy.

Formulations for oral administration in the present invention may bepresented as: discrete units such as capsules, gellules, drops, cachets,pills or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the activeagent; as a powder or granules; as a solution, emulsion or a suspensionof the active agent in an aqueous liquid or a non-aqueous liquid; or asan oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion; or asa bolus etc. Preferably, these compositions contain from 1 to 250 mg andmore preferably from 10-100 mg, of active ingredient per dose.

For compositions for oral administration (e.g. tablets and capsules),the term “acceptable carrier” includes vehicles such as commonexcipients e.g. binding agents, for example syrup, acacia, gelatin,sorbitol, tragacanth, polyvinylpyrrolidone (Povidone), methylcellulose,ethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sucrose and starch; fillers and carriers,for example corn starch, gelatin, lactose, sucrose, microcrystallinecellulose, kaolin, mannitol, dicalcium phosphate, sodium chloride andalginic acid; and lubricants such as magnesium stearate, sodium stearateand other metallic stearates, glycerol stearate stearic acid, siliconefluid, talc waxes, oils and colloidal silica. Flavouring agents such aspeppermint, oil of wintergreen, cherry flavouring and the like can alsobe used. It may be desirable to add a colouring agent to make the dosageform readily identifiable. Tablets may also be coated by methods wellknown in the art.

A tablet may be made by compression or moulding, optionally with one ormore accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared bycompressing in a suitable machine the active agent in a free flowingform such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder,lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, surface-active or dispersingagent. Moulded tablets may be made by moulding in a suitable machine amixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.The tablets may be optionally be coated or scored and may be formulatedso as to provide slow or controlled release of the active agent.

Other formulations suitable for oral administration include lozengescomprising the active agent in a flavoured base, usually sucrose andacacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active agent in an inertbase such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia; andmouthwashes comprising the active agent in a suitable liquid carrier.

Other forms of administration comprise solutions or emulsions which maybe injected intravenously, intraarterially, intrathecally,subcutaneously, intradermally, intraperitoneally or intramuscularly, andwhich are prepared from sterile or sterilisable solutions. Injectableforms typically contain between 10-1000 mg, preferably between 10-250mg, of active ingredient per dose.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may also be inform of suppositories, pessaries, suspensions, emulsions, lotions,ointments, creams, gels, sprays, solutions or dusting powders.

An alternative means of transdermal administration is by use of a skinpatch. For example, the active ingredient can be incorporated into acream consisting of an aqueous emulsion of polyethylene glycols orliquid paraffin. The active ingredient can also be incorporated, at aconcentration of between 1 and 10% by weight, into an ointmentconsisting of a white wax or white soft paraffin base together with suchstabilisers and preservatives as may be required.

Dosage

A person of ordinary skill in the art can easily determine anappropriate dose of one of the instant compositions to administer to asubject without undue experimentation. Typically, a physician willdetermine the actual dosage which will be most suitable for anindividual patient and it will depend on a variety of factors includingthe activity of the specific compound employed, the metabolic stabilityand length of action of that compound, the age, body weight, generalhealth, sex, diet, mode and time of administration, rate of excretion,drug combination, the severity of the particular condition, and theindividual undergoing therapy. The dosages disclosed herein areexemplary of the average case. There can of course be individualinstances where higher or lower dosage ranges are merited, and such arewithin the scope of this invention.

In accordance with this invention, an effective amount of a compound ofgeneral formula (I) may be administered to inhibit the proteinaseimplicated with a particular condition or disease. Of course, thisdosage amount will further be modified according to the type ofadministration of the compound. For example, to achieve an “effectiveamount” for acute therapy, parenteral administration of a compound ofgeneral formula (I) is preferred. An intravenous infusion of thecompound in 5% dextrose in water or normal saline, or a similarformulation with suitable excipients, is most effective, although anintramuscular bolus injection is also useful. Typically, the parenteraldose will be about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg; preferably between 0.1 and20 mg/kg, in a manner to maintain the concentration of drug in theplasma at a concentration effective to inhibit a cysteine proteinase.The compounds may be administered one to four times daily at a level toachieve a total daily dose of about 0.4 to about 400 mg/kg/day. Theprecise amount of an inventive compound which is therapeuticallyeffective, and the route by which such compound is best administered, isreadily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art by comparing theblood level of the agent to the concentration required to have atherapeutic effect. Prodrugs of compounds of the present invention maybe prepared by any suitable method. For those compounds in which theprodrug moiety is a ketone functionality, specifically ketals and/orhemiketals, the conversion may be effected in accordance withconventional methods.

The compounds of this invention may also be administered orally to thepatient, in a manner such that the concentration of drug is sufficientto inhibit bone resorption or to achieve any other therapeuticindication as disclosed herein. Typically, a pharmaceutical compositioncontaining the compound is administered at an oral dose of between about0.1 to about 50 mg/kg in a manner consistent with the condition of thepatient. Preferably the oral dose would be about 0.5 to about 20 mg/kg.

No unacceptable toxicological effects are expected when compounds of thepresent invention are administered in accordance with the presentinvention. The compounds of this invention, which may have goodbioavailability, may be tested in one of several biological assays todetermine the concentration of a compound which is required to have agiven pharmacological effect.

Combinations

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more compounds of theinvention are administered in combination with one or more other activeagents, for example, existing drugs available on the market. In suchcases, the compounds of the invention may be administered consecutively,simultaneously or sequentially with the one or more other active agents.

Drugs in general are more effective when used in combination. Inparticular, combination therapy is desirable in order to avoid anoverlap of major toxicities, mechanism of action and resistancemechanism(s). Furthermore, it is also desirable to administer most drugsat their maximum tolerated doses with minimum time intervals betweensuch doses. The major advantages of combining chemotherapeutic drugs arethat it may promote additive or possible synergistic effects throughbiochemical interactions and also may decrease the emergence ofresistance.

Beneficial combinations may be suggested by studying the inhibitoryactivity of the test compounds with agents known or suspected of beingvaluable in the treatment of a particular disorder. This procedure canalso be used to determine the order of administration of the agents,i.e. before, simultaneously, or after delivery. Such scheduling may be afeature of all the active agents identified herein.

Synthesis Synthesis of 5,5-Bicyclic Core

One aspect of the invention relates to a process of preparing a compoundof formula (I) as defined above, said process comprising oxidation of acompound of formula (II).

Any suitable oxidising agent may be used to convert the secondaryalcohol group of (II) into the corresponding ketone (I). Suitableoxidising agents will be familiar to the skilled artisan. By way ofexample, the oxidation may be carried out via a Dess-Martin periodinanereaction [Dess, D. B. et al, J. Org. Chem. 1983, 48, 4155; Dess, D. B.et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 7277], or via a Swern oxidation[Mancuso, A. J. et al, J. Org. Chem. 1978, 43, 2480]. Alternatively, theoxidation can be carried out using SO₃/pyridine/Et₃N/DMSO [Parith, J. R.et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1967, 5505; U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,216, Parith, J.R. et al], P₂O₅/DMSO or P₂O₅/Ac₂O [Christensen, S. M. et al, OrganicProcess Research and Development, 2004, 8, 777]. Other alternativeoxidation reagents include activated dimethyl sulphoxide [Mancuso, A.J., Swern, D. J., Synthesis, 1981, 165], pyridinium chlorochromate[Pianeatelli, G. et al, Synthesis, 1982, 245] and Jones' reagent [Vogel,A, I., Textbook of Organic Chemistry, 6^(th) Edition].

More preferably, the process comprises treating a compound of formula(II) with Dess-Martin periodinane. Preferably, the reaction is carriedout using dichloromethane as solvent.

In one preferred embodiment, the process of the invention comprises thestep of converting a compound of formula (III) into a compound offormula (II) through standard amide bond formation betweenR⁹CONHCH(C₆H₉R³R⁴)COOH and the compound of formula (III; R⁵═H) with asuitable carboxylic acid activating agent.

where R⁵ is a protecting group or hydrogen.

In one preferred embodiment, protecting group R⁵ is selected frombenzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl,1-(biphenyl-4-yl)-1-methylethoxycarbonyl,α,α-dimethyl-3,5-dimethoxylbenzyloxycarbonyl,p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyland trichloroethoxycarbonyl.

More preferably, R⁵ is benzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) orflouren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc).

In another preferred embodiment R⁵ is H.

In a more preferred embodiment the process of the invention comprisesthe step of converting a compound of formula (IV) into a compound offormula (III; R⁵═H)

where Lg is a leaving group such as tosylate or mesylate and R⁵ is aspreviously defined.

In an even more preferred embodiment the process of the inventioncomprises the step of converting a compound of formula (IVa; R⁵═H) intoa compound of formula (IIIa) or a compound of formula (IVb; R⁵=Cbz) intoa compound of formula (IIIb)

For compounds of formulae (IIIa) and (IIIb) the displacement of tosylateis typically performed using an excess of lithium chloride in DMF at130° C. Displacement proceeds with inversion of configuration.

In one preferred embodiment the process of the invention comprises thestep of converting a compound of formula (V) into a compound of formula(IV)

More preferably the intra-molecular cyclisation of compound (V) isinduced by removal of the protecting group R⁵. Preferably, for thisembodiment, R⁵ is benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), and the process compriseshydrogenating a compound of formula (V) in the presence of a palladiumcatalyst.

In one preferred embodiment the process of the invention comprises thestep of converting a compound of formula (VI) into a compound of formula(V)

In one preferred embodiment, the oxidising agent is mCPBA.

In another preferred embodiment, the oxidising agent is a dioxirane.

The use of dioxiranes as oxidising agents is well documented in theliterature [see (a) Hodgson, D. M. et al, Synlett, 310 (2002); (b) Adam,W. et al, Acc. Chem. Res. 22, 205, (1989); (c) Yang, D. et al, J. Org.Chem., 60, 3887, (1995); (d) Mello, R. et al, J. Org. Chem., 53, 3890,(1988); (e) Curci, R. et al, Pure & Appl. Chem., 67(5), 811 (1995); (f)Emmons, W. D. et al, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 89, (1955)].

Preferably, the dioxirane is generated in situ by the reaction of KHSO₅with a ketone. However, the oxidation step can also be carried out usingan isolated dioxirane, for example a stock solution of the dioxiraneformed from acetone.

More preferably, the dioxirane is generated in situ using Oxone®, whichis a commercially available oxidising agent containing KHSO₅ as theactive ingredient.

Thus, in one preferred embodiment, the claimed process involves the insitu epoxidation of a compound of formula (VI) using Oxone® (2KHSO₅.KHSO₄.K₂SO₄) and a ketone co-reactant.

As mentioned above, the active ingredient of Oxone® is potassiumperoxymonosulfate, KHSO₅ [CAS-RN 10058-23-8], commonly known aspotassium monopersulfate, which is present as a component of a triplesalt with the formula 2 KHSO₅.KHSO₄.K₂SO₄ [potassium hydrogenperoxymonosulfate sulfate (5:3:2:2), CAS-RN 70693-62-8; commerciallyavailable from DuPont]. The oxidation potential of Oxone® is derivedfrom its peracid chemistry; it is the first neutralization salt ofperoxymonosulfuric acid H₂SO₅ (also known as Caro's acid).

K⁺⁻O—S(═O)₂(—OOH)  Potassium Monopersulfate

Under slightly basic conditions (pH 7.5-8.0), persulfate reacts with theketone co-reactant to form a three membered cyclic peroxide (adioxirane) in which both oxygens are bonded to the carbonyl carbon ofthe ketone. The cyclic peroxide so formed then epoxidises the compoundof formula VI by syn specific oxygen transfer to the alkene bond.

Preferably, the ketone is of formula (XIX)

wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently alkyl, aryl, haloalkyl orhaloaryl.

Where R^(a) and/or R^(b) are alkyl, the alkyl group may be a straightchain or branched alkyl group. Preferably, the alkyl group is a C₁₋₂₀alkyl group, more preferably a C₁₋₁₅, more preferably still a C₁₋₁₂alkyl group, more preferably still, a C₁₋₈ or C₁₋₆ alkyl group, morepreferably a C₁₋₄ alkyl group. Particularly preferred alkyl groupsinclude, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl,tert-butyl, pentyl and hexyl.

As used herein, the term “haloalkyl” refers to an alkyl group asdescribed above in which one or more hydrogens are replaced by halo.

Where R^(a) and/or R^(b) are aryl, the aryl group is typically a C₆₋₁₂aromatic group. Preferred examples include phenyl and naphthyl etc.

As used herein, the term “haloaryl” refers to an aryl group as describedabove in which one or more hydrogens are replaced by halo.

By way of example, the reaction of KHSO₅ (Oxone®) with a ketone offormula XVI would form a dioxirane of formula:

wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are as defined above.

More preferably, R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently alkyl orhaloalkyl.

In a highly preferred embodiment, at least one of R^(a) and R^(b) is ahaloalkyl, more preferably, CF₃ or CF₂CF₃.

In one preferred embodiment, R^(a) and R^(b) are each independentlymethyl or trifluoromethyl.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the ketone is selectedfrom acetone and a 1,1,1-trifluoroalkyl ketone.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the trifluoroalkylketone is 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone or 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-butanone, morepreferably 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-butanone.

In one preferred embodiment the process of the invention comprises thestep of converting a compound of formula (VII) into a compound offormula (VI)

Preferably the process comprises treating a compound of formula (VII)with tosyl chloride in pyridine. Alternatively the process comprisestreating a compound of formula (VII) with tosyl chloride indichloromethane and triethylamine.

In one preferred embodiment the process of the invention comprises thestep of converting a compound of formula (VIII) into a compound offormula (VII)

where W is halogen or tosyl.

Preferably, this step comprises the steps of:

-   (a) reacting a compound of formula (VIII), where W is halogen or    OTs, with aqueous ammonia and alcohol; and-   (b) converting the product formed in step (a) to a compound of    formula (VII).

Preferably, steps (a) and (b) of the above process are a one-potprocess.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, R⁵ is benzyloxycarbonyl, andstep (b) comprises treating the mixture formed in step (a) withbenzyloxycarbonyl chloride.

Preferably, W is I, Br or OTs, more preferably, Br or OTs, even morepreferably OTs.

Preferably, the alcohol is isopropyl alcohol or ethanol.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, said compound of formulaVIII is prepared from a compound of formula IX

Preferably, the above process comprises treating said compound offormula IX with methyl lithium.

More preferably, compound of formula IX is compound 47 and compound offormula VIII is compound 14. Treatment of monobromotosylate 47 with zincdust at room temperature in organic/aqueous mixtures (most preferably anisopropanol, tetrahydrofuran, water, ammonium chloride mixture) providesalcohol 14 respectively in high yield. Additionally, completion of theone-pot conversion gives alcohol VII and with defined stereochemistryand in high yield.

Commencing from the commercially available sugar isosorbide, the presentinvention also provides facile preparation of monobromotosylate 47. Onehighly preferred preparation is shown below in Scheme 15

Isosorbide (43) is converted to the di-tosylate (42) which is obtainedfollowing recrystallisation from methanol in 97% yield. Mono-brominationis effected by 2.5 eq lithium bromide in DMSO (or DMF) with temperaturecontrol 110° C.→120° C. The product bromide is isolated followingextractive work-up and purification either by column chromatography(74%) or attractive for large scale by recrystallisation from methanolgiving a first crop of 55% plus mother liquors containing good qualitymaterial that may be pooled from batch runs and purified later. Thus,preparation of monobromotosylate (47) with defined stereochemistry bymethods in Scheme 15 is attractive for large scale applications.Treatment of monobromotosylate (47) with zinc dust at room temperaturein organic/aqueous mixtures (most preferably an isopropanol,tetrahydrofuran, water, ammonium chloride mixture) provides alcohol (14)which is derivatised as the Cbz compound (18) through one potconversion. In one highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the6-Cl-5,5-bicylic core is prepared in accordance with the steps set forthin Scheme 1 below:

The alcohol functionality of (18) may be derivatised as the para-toluenesulphonate (Ts) giving(R)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-((S)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)ethyl4-methylbenzenesulfonate (32b) which proceeds through the anti-epoxide(R)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-((1S,2S,5S)-3,6-dioxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-yl)ethyl4-methylbenzenesulphonate (33b). Hydrogenation of tosylate (33b)provides free amine that undergoes intramolecular cyclisation to provideintermediate (74). Intermediate (74) undergoes displacement with anexcess of lithium chloride in DMF at 130° C., to give the 6-chloroanalogue with inversion of configuration. Urethane protection of thesecondary amine of the bicyclic intermediate (69) followed by oxidationto ketone provides intermediate (71) that is particularly useful forsolid phase synthesis of compounds of general formula I.

Advantageously, the epoxidation to give the desired anti-epoxide isdirected by the presence of the tosylate group.

Alternatively, intermediate tosylate (74) may be Cbz protected to giveprotected analogue (34b) that may undergo inversion to chloride (68)through treatment with LiBr in DMF at typically 130° C. (Scheme 1).

Preparation of Novel Aminoacids

The novel 4-substituted cyclohexylglycine aminoacids that are anintrinsic feature of compounds of formula I may be prepared followingadaptation of a variety of known general literature syntheses ofaminoacids. In one such method, a 4-substituted cyclohexane acetic acid(e.g. trans-4-methylcyclohexane acetic acid CAS 7132-93-6) is convertedto the novel chiral aminoacid (e.g.(S)-2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)aceticacid (130)) following Scheme 18 (general method is detailed inWO-A-98017626 (pg 49)).

For example, commercially available trans-(4-methylcyclohexyl)aceticacid (131) (CAS 7132-93-6; ABCR GmbH AB168553; Shanghai FWD ChemicalsLtd K7354) is converted into the Evans auxiliary (127) following thegeneral methods detailed in WO98017626 (pg 49). Asymmetric addition ofazide is then conducted by deprotonation of (127) and reaction withtrisyl azide. Reduction of azide (128) and concomitant Boc aminoprotection following the general methods detailed in U.S. Pat. No.5,128,448 provides intermediate (129). Finally, hydrolysis of theauxiliary is conducted with hydrogen peroxide and lithium hydroxidefollowing the general methods detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,448. Thefinal product (130) is obtained following simple aqueous extraction.

Alternative 4-substituted cyclohexane acetic acids may be used followingScheme 18 to provide alternative analogues of compounds of formula I.For example, trans-(4-ethylcyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 125533-06-4)provides compounds of formula I where R³═H and R⁴=Et;trans-(4-methoxycyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 879877-61-9) providescompounds of formula I where R³═H and R⁴═OMe;4-(trifluoromethylcyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 803736-46-1) providescompounds of formula I where R³═H and R⁴═CF₃;trans-(4-n-propylcyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 71458-18-9) providescompounds of formula I where R³═H and R⁴=n-propyl;trans-(4-isopropylcyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 882658-76-6) providescompounds of formula I where R³═H and R⁴=isopropyl;(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 681448-25-9, see WO-A-04037769,compound 39C, pg 42) through the known aminoacid(S)-2-amino-2-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 754178-25-1, seeWO-A-03062265, example XVII, pg 197), provides compounds of formula Iwhere R³, R⁴=Me; (4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 915030-40-9,see WO-A-06124490) through the known aminoacid2-amino-2-(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)acetic acid (CAS 769169-46-2),provides compounds of formula I where R³, R⁴═F.

Other novel 4-substituted cyclohexane acetic acids may readily beprepared from the corresponding 4-substituted cyclohexanone followingthe general methods detailed by Bennani, Y. L. et al (WO-A-04037769).

Synthesis of Compounds of Formula (I)

To those skilled in the practices of organic chemistry, compounds ofgeneral formula (I) may be readily synthesised by a number of chemicalstrategies, performed either in solution or on the solid phase (seeAtherton, E. and Sheppard, R. C. In ‘Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis: APractical Approach’, Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K. 1989, for ageneral review of solid phase synthesis principles), or a combinationthereof.

Compounds of general formula (I) may be conveniently considered as acombination of three building blocks (P1, P2 and P3) that respectivelyoccupy the S1, S2 and S3 binding sites of the protease (see Berger, A.and Schechter, I., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. [Biol.], 257, 249-264,1970 for a description of the designation of enzyme S-subsites andsubstrate P-subsites within enzyme-substrate or enzyme-inhibitorcomplexes). The notional concepts of P1, P2 and P3 are used herein forconvenience only and the above-mentioned compounds are intended to bewithin the scope of the invention regardless of binding mode.

A suitably protected and/or activated building block may then beprepared and subsequently chemically bonded (coupled) together withother building blocks to provide compounds of general formula (I).

Compounds of formula (I) may be prepared: (1) by the stepwise additionof P3 and P2 to the bicyclic6-(S)-chlorotetrahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-one core; or (2) by reactionof the bicyclic 6-(S)-chlorotetrahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-one core witha P3−P2 precursor molecule; or (3) by introducing the P3−P2 group priorto formation of the bicyclic6-(S)-chlorotetrahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-one core, i.e. prior to theoxidation step or prior to the intramolecular cyclisation step.

Thus, alternative orders of coupling of the building blocks arepossible, for example P2+P1→P2−P1 then addition of P3→P3−P2−P1 orP3+P2→P3−P2 then addition to P1→P3−P2−P1. Within each of thesecombinations each of the P1, P2 or P3 building blocks may containadditional alternative functionalities that are further transformedfollowing coupling to give the final compound. For example the ketonefunctionality of the P1 building block may be protected as a ketalduring coupling of building blocks and transformed to the final ketoneby hydrolysis following completion of the coupling reactions.Alternatively, the ketone functionality of the P1 building block may beinitially introduced via a lower oxidation state such as thecorresponding alcohol and following completion of the coupling reactionsbe re-introduced by oxidation of the alcohol. Alternatively, the ketonefunctionality of the P1 building block may be protected through asemi-carbazone suitable for solid phase synthesis (e.g. see WO 02/057270and references cited therein) and following completion of the couplingreactions released from the solid phase by acidolytic reaction.

The chemical bond formed by coupling of the building blocks is asecondary amide (P3−P2) or a tertiary amide (P2−P1) that is formedthrough reaction of an activated carboxylic acid with a primary andsecondary amine respectively. Many methods are available for activationof a carboxylic acid prior to coupling to an amine and in principle, anyof these methods may be used herein. Typical carboxylic acid activationmethods are exemplified but not restricted to the azide method, mixedanhydride method (e.g. via isobutylchloroformate), carbodiimide methods(e.g. via dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, diisopropylcarbodiimide,1-ethyl-3-(3′-dimethylamino propyl)carbodiimide), active ester method(e.g. via p-nitrophenyl ester, N-hydroxysuccinic imido ester,pentafluorophenyl ester), uronium method (e.g. via addition of HBTU,PyBop, BOP), carbonyldiimidazole method or via pre-formation of acylfluorides or acyl chlorides. In some instances the coupling reaction maybe enhanced by the addition of a further activation catalyst such as1-hydroxybenzotriazole, or 4-dimethylaminopyridine. A generaldescription of carboxylic acid activation techniques and the use ofactivation additives may be found in Bodanszky, M. ‘Principles ofPeptide Synthesis’, 2^(nd) rev. ed., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1993 andreferences cited therein.

The α-amino group of the P2 aminoacid building block is usuallyprotected during coupling reactions to the P1 building block to avoidthe formation of undesired self-condensation products. The art ofα-amino protection is well known in peptide chemistry (e.g. seeBodanszky, M. ‘Principles of Peptide Synthesis’, 2^(nd) rev. ed.,Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1993 and references cited therein) and exampleprotection groups include, but are not limited to,9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc),benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), allyloxycarbonyl (Alloc) andtrichloroethoxycarbonyl (Treoc). The Fmoc group is particularly wellsuited for solid phase syntheses (e.g. see Atherton, E.; Sheppard, R. C.in ‘Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis A Practical Approach’, IRL Press,Oxford, U.K., 1989) typically being removed by treatment with 20% v/vpiperidine in dimethylformamide or 1% v/v1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene in dimethylformamide. The Boc groupis particularly well suited to solution phase syntheses typically beingremoved by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid based mixtures or HCl indioxane or ethyl acetate. The Cbz group is also particularly well suitedfor solution phase syntheses typically being removed by catalytichydrogenation with hydrogen and palladium catalysis or by treatment withHBr in acetic acid. Once the coupling sequence is complete, anyprotecting groups are removed in whatever manner is dictated by thechoice of protecting groups (for a general description of protectinggroups and their respective stabilities and methods of removal seeGreene, T. W. and Wuts, P. G. M. ‘Protective Groups in OrganicSynthesis’ John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1991 and references therein).

In the simplest example, the entire left hand portion of a compound ofgeneral formula (I) (i.e. P3−P2) as the carboxylic acid can be preparedin solution by traditional organic chemistry methods and coupled toketone, alcohol or ketal intermediates such as compounds (IIb), (IIc)and (IId). Then oxidation of the alcohol intermediate (e.g. Dess-Martinperiodinane in DCM) or acidolytic cleavage of the ketal intermediateprovides compounds of general formula (I). The alcohol oxidation routeis particularly useful when the compound of general formula (I) containsa substituent that is labile to trifluoroacetic acid, this being thefinal reagent used in each of the solid phase syntheses.

Examples of these different coupling tactics have been detailedpreviously (see (i) Quibell, M. et. al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. 13, 609-625,2005. (ii) Wang, Y. et. al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 15, 1327-1331,2005) and the optimum synthetic route is dependant upon the specificsubstituent combinations of the target compound of general formula (I).

In more detail, one preferred strategy for the synthesis of compounds ofgeneral formula (I) comprises:—

-   (a) Preparation of an appropriately functionalised and protected    bicyclic ketone or bicyclic alcohol building block in solution;-   (b) Attachment of the building block (a) to the solid phase through    a linker that is stable to the conditions of synthesis, but readily    labile to cleavage at the end of a synthesis (see James, I. W.,    Tetrahedron, 55(Report No 489), 4855-4946, 1999, for examples of the    ‘linker’ function as applied to solid phase synthesis);-   (c) Solid phase organic chemistry (see Brown, R. D. J. Chem. Soc.,    Perkin Trans. 1, 19, 3293-3320, 1998), to construct the remainder of    the molecule;-   (d) Compound cleavage from the solid phase into solution; and-   (e) Cleavage work-up and compound analysis.

A second strategy for the synthesis of compounds of general formula (I)comprises:—

-   (a) Preparation of an appropriately functionalised and protected    bicyclic intermediate building block in solution. Preferred    protecting groups for solution phase chemistry are the    9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), Nα-tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc),    Nα-benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) and Nα-allyloxycarbonyl group (Alloc).-   (b) Standard organic chemistry methods for the conversion of    building block obtained in step (a) towards compounds of general    formula (I).

As mentioned above, in one preferred embodiment of the invention,compounds of formula (I) may be prepared using conventional solutionphase chemistry, for example, as described in Quibell, M et al, Bioorg.Med. Chem, 13, 609-625, 2005 (see in particular, Schemes 3 and 4). Thesolution phase strategy is attractive in being able to generate largerquantities of preferred analogues, typically on a multi-gram tomulti-kilogram scale.

In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, compounds offormula (I) may be prepared using conventional solid phase chemistry,for example, as described in Quibell M, et al Bioorg. Med. Chem, 12,5689-5710, 2004, see in particular, Scheme 3 and Section 3.2, andreferences cited therein; and Bioorg. Med. Chem, 13, 609-625, 2005, seeScheme 5 and Section 2.2, and references cited therein). The solid phasestrategy is attractive in being able to generate many thousands ofanalogues, typically on a 5-100 mg scale, through established parallelsynthesis methodologies (e.g. see (a) Bastos, M.; Maeji, N. J.; Abeles,R. H. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92, 6738-6742, 1995).

The synthetic strategy is based on reversible anchorage of the ketonefunctionality via a hydrazide linker bond using general multipintechniques previously described in the art (Watts J. et al, Bioorg. Med.Chem. 12(11), 2903, 2004; Quibell M., et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem.5689-5710, 2004; Grabowksa U. et al, J. Comb. Chem. 2000, 2(5), 475).Compounds of formula (III; R⁵=Fmoc) may be oxidised to the correspondingketone (e.g. XVI, Scheme 3) and utilised in a solid phase synthesis ofinhibitor molecules (I). The solid phase linkage of an aldehyde orketone, has previously been described by a variety of methods (e.g. see(a) James, I. W., 1999, (b) Lee, A., Huang, L., Ellman, J. A., J. Am.Chem. Soc, 121(43), 9907-9914, 1999, (c) Murphy, A. M., et al, J. Am.Chem. Soc, 114, 3156-3157, 1992). A suitable method amenable to thereversible linkage of an alkyl ketone functionality is through acombination of the previously described chemistries. The semicarbazide,4-[[(hydrazinocarbonyl)amino]methyl]cyclohexane carboxylic acid.trifluoroacetate (Murphy, A. M., et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 114,3156-3157, 1992), may be utilised as illustrated in Scheme 3,exemplified by linkage of the Fmoc protected6-(S)-chlorotetrahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-one (71).

Construct (XVII) is prepared through reaction of the linker molecule andthe 6-(S)-chlorotetrahydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-one (71) by refluxing inaqueous ethanol/sodium acetate. Standard solid phase techniques (e.g.see Atherton, E. and Sheppard, R. C., 1989) are used to anchor theconstruct to an amino-functionalised solid phase through the freecarboxylic acid functionality of (XVII), providing the loaded construct(XVIII). Loaded construct (XVIII) be reacted with a wide range ofcarboxylic acids available commercially or in the literature, tointroduce the left-hand portion ‘P3−P2’.

Preferred carboxylic acids for the introduction of the [R⁹—CO] synthonare known in the literature with the following representative examples;furan-2-carboxylic acid, 5-chlorofuran-2-carboxylic acid,thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, 5-chlorothiophene-2-carboxylic acid,furan-3-carboxylic acid, 5-chlorofuran-3-carboxylic acid,thiophene-3-carboxylic acid, 5-chlorothiophene-3-carboxylic acid,oxazole-2-carboxylic acid, oxazole-5-carboxylic acid,1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-carboxylic acid, thiazole-2-carboxylic acid,thiazole-5-carboxylic acid, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-carboxylic acid, benzoicacid, 3-methylbenzoic acid, 3-chlorobenzoic acid, 3-fluorobenzoic acid,3-bromobenzoic acid, 3-methoxybenzoic acid, 3-nitrobenzoic acid,3,5-difluorobenzoic acid, nicotinic acid (CAS 59-67-6),5-fluoronicotinic acid, 5-chloronicotinic acid, 5-methoxynicotinic acid,5-nitronicotinic acid, pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (CAS 4595-61-3),isonicotinic acid, 2-fluoroisonicotinic acid, 3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzoicacid (CAS 61471-45-2), 3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (CAS264264-33-7), 3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 108035-47-8),3-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 335255-82-8),3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 335255-80-6),3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 167626-64-4),3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 204196-80-5),3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 90556-58-4),3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 912569-71-2),3-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 391668-62-5),3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 876715-37-6),3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 73096-39-6),3-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 850375-11-0), 3-(furan-2-yl)benzoicacid (CAS 35461-99-5), 3-(thiophen-2-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 29886-63-3),3-(isoxazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (852180-44-0), 3-(isothiazol-5-yl)benzoicacid (CAS 904085-98-9), 3-(oxazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 252928-82-8),3-(thiazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 252928-84-0), 3-(oxazol-2-yl)benzoicacid (CAS 473538-18-0), 3-(thiazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 847956-27-8),3-(furan-3-yl)benzoic acid, (CAS 168619-07-6), 3-(thiophen-3-yl)benzoicacid (CAS 20608-89-3), 3-(2-methylthiazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (CAS28077-41-0), 3-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 912577-30-1),3-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 915707-39-0),3-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 898289-59-3),3-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 915707-45-8),3-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 628297-55-2),3-(pyridin-4-yl)benzoic acid, 3-(pyrimidin-4-yl)benzoic acid,3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 4385-77-7), 3-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoicacid (CAS 852180-74-6), 3-(pyridin-2-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 4467-07-6),3-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzoic acid (CAS 579476-26-9),benzo[d]thiazole-6-carboxylic acid (3622-35-3), 1H-indole-5-carboxylicacid (1670-81-1), 1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-6-carboxylic acid (CAS23814-12-2), benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS19155-88-5), 6-hydroxypicolinic acid (CAS 19621-92-2),2,3-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline-6-carboxylic acid,2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-6-carboxylic acid (CAS 70639-77-9),2-oxoindoline-5-carboxylic acid (CAS 102359-00-2),2-oxoindoline-6-carboxylic acid (CAS 334952-09-9),2,3-dioxoindoline-5-carboxylic acid (CAS 25128-32-9),3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazine-7-carboxylic acid (CAS214848-62-1), 4-(methylsulfonamido)benzoic acid (CAS 7151-76-0),2-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-7-carboxylic acid (CAS117030-69-0).

The present invention is further described by way of example.

EXAMPLES General Procedures

Solvents were purchased from ROMIL Ltd, U.K. at SpS or Hi-Dry gradeunless otherwise stated. ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR were obtained on a BrukerDPX400 (400 MHz ¹H frequency and 100 MHz ¹³C frequency; QXI probe) orBruker Avance 500 MHz (TXI probe with ATM) in the solvents indicated.Chemical shifts are expressed in parts per million (δ) and arereferenced to residual signals of the solvent. Coupling constants (J)are expressed in Hz. All analytical HPLC were obtained on PhenomenexJupiter C₄, 5μ, 300 Å, 250×4.6 mm, using mixtures of solvent A (0.1% aqtrifluoroacetic acid (TFA)) and solvent B (90% acetonitrile/10% solventA) on automated Agilent systems with 215 and/or 254 nm UV detection.Unless otherwise stated a gradient of 10 to 90% B in A over 25 min at1.5 mL/min was performed for full analytical HPLC. HPLC-MS analysis wasperformed on an Agilent 1100 series LC/MSD, using automated Agilent HPLCsystems, with a gradient of 10 to 90% B in A over 10 min on PhenomenexLuna C₈, 5μ, 300 Å, 50×2.0 mm at 0.6 mL/min. Semi-preparative HPLCpurification was performed on Phenomenex Jupiter C₄, 5μ, 300 Å, 250×10mm, using a gradient of 10 to 90% B in A over 25 min at 4 mL/min onautomated Agilent systems with 215 and/or 254 nm UV detection. Flashcolumn purification was performed on silica gel 60 (Merck 9385) or usingisolute SPE flash silica columns (Biotage, Hengoed, UK).

Preparation of Benzyl (R)-2-((S)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethylcarbamate (18) (i) Preparation of(3R,3aS,6S,6aS)-hexahydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-3,6-diylbis(4-methylbenzenesulfonate) (42)

A stirred solution of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (57.4 g, 301 mmol) andisosorbide (43) (20 g, 137 mmol) in pyridine (315 mL) was heated at 95°C. for 4.5 hours under an atmosphere of argon then stood at ambienttemperature for 16 hours before being poured onto iced-water (1 L). Theaqueous was extracted with dichloromethane (2×500 mL), then the combinedorganic layers were washed with water (2×500 mL), then dried (Na₂SO₄),filtered then reduced in vacuo to leave a viscous oil (65.22 g). The oilwas crystallized from hot methanol (350 mL). The white solid wascollected by filtration in vacuo, then washed with methanol (100 mL) anddried in vacuo to obtain ditosylate (42) as a white solid (45.87 g,74%). TLC (R_(f)=0.30, EtOAc:heptane 2:3), analytical HPLC single mainpeak, R_(t)=20.219 min., HPLC MS 455.1 [M+H]⁺, 931.2 [2M+Na]⁺, [α]_(D)²⁰+57.2° (c=10.2, CHCl₃); δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) 2.44 (6H, s, CH₃), 3.68(1H, dd, J=9.80 and 6.46 Hz, CH₂), 3.82-3.87 (2H, m, CH₂), 3.94 (1H, d,J=11.28 Hz, CH₂), 4.46 (1H, d, J=4.44 Hz, CHCHOTs), 4.58 (1H, t, J=4.74Hz, CHCHOTs), 4.82-4.86 (2H, m, CHOTs), 7.32-7.36 (4H, m, aromaticCH₃CCH), 7.74-7.80 (4H, m, aromatic OSO₂CCH).

(ii) Preparation of(3S,3aS,6S,6aS)-6-bromohexahydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-3-yl4-methylbenzenesulfonate (47)

Lithium bromide (9.6 g, 110.1 mmol) was added to a stirred solution ofditosylate (42) (20.0 g, 44.05 mmol) in dimethylformamide (100 mL) underan atmosphere of argon. The mixture was heated at 110° C. for 5 hoursthen stood at ambient temperature for 3 days, then heated at 90° C. for3.5 hours. The mixture was diluted with water (250 mL) extracted withtert-butyl methyl ether (4×125 mL) then the organic phase washed withwater (3×125 mL), brine (125 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and reduced invacuo to leave a brown oil (16.8 g). Flash chromatography over silica,eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 0:100 to 30:70 gavebromotosylate (47) (11.88 g, 74%) as a pale yellow solid. TLC(R_(f)=0.20, EtOAc:heptane 1:3); analytical HPLC main peak, R_(t)=18.050min; HPLC-MS 381.0/383.0 [M+H₂O+H]⁺, 385.0/387.0 [M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D)¹⁸+51.0° (c=5.0, CHCl₃); δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) 2.45 (3H, s, CH₃), 3.84(1H, dd, J=11.19 and 3.51 Hz, CH₂), 4.05-4.15 (3H, m, CH₂), 4.28 (1H, d,J=3.40 Hz, CHBr), 4.78 (1H, d, J=3.37 Hz, CHCH), 4.84 (1H, d, J=3.42 Hz,CHOTs), 4.90 (1H, d, J=3.37 Hz, CHCH), 7.36 (2H, brd, J=7.98 Hz,aromatic CH₃CCH), 7.79 (2H, brd, J=8.32 Hz, aromatic OSO₂CCH).

(iii) Preparation of (S)-1-((S)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl4-methyl benzenesulfonate (14)

Ammonium chloride (20 mg, 0.37 mmol) then zinc dust (20 mg, 0.31 mmol)were added to a solution of bromotosylate (47) (100 mg, 0.28 mmol) inethanol (1.5 mL) under argon. The mixture was stirred for 16 hoursbefore filtering the suspension through celite in vacuo. The filter cakewas washed with ethanol (20 mL) then the filtrate reduced in vacuo toleave a residue (111 mg). Flash chromatography over silica, eluting withethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 20:80 to 40:60 gave alcohol (14) (53 mg,68%) as a white solid. TLC (R_(f)=0.15, EtOAc:heptane 1:2); analyticalHPLC main peak, R_(t)=12.543 min; HPLC-MS 285.1 [M+H]⁺, 302.1, 591.2[2M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D) ¹⁵−86.8° (c=5.3, CHCl₃); δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) 2.12(1H, brs, OH), 2.44 (3H, s, aryl-CH₃), 3.77 (2H, d, J=4.85 Hz, CH₂OH),4.54-4.58 (3H, m, CH₂OCH), 4.94-4.98 (1H, m, CHOTs), 5.64-5.67 and5.97-6.00 (2H total, m, CH₂CH═CH), 7.33 (2H, brd, J=8.23 Hz, aromaticCH₃CCH), 7.79 (2H, brd, J=8.31 Hz, aromatic OSO₂CCH); δ_(C) (125 MHz,CDCl₃) 21.660 (CH₃), 62.303 (CH₂OH), 75.940 (OCH₂CH═CH), 82.720 and85.221 (OCHCHOTs), 124.792, 127.977, 129.479 and 129.749 (OCH₂CH═CH andaromatic CH), 133.496 (CHOSO₂C quaternary), 144.973 (CH₃C quaternary).

(iv) Alternative preparation of(S)-1-((S)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (14)

A solution of ammonium chloride (200 mg, 3.7 mmol) in water (2.5 mL)then zinc dust (200 mg, 3.1 mmol) were added to a solution ofbromotosylate (47) (1 g, 2.75 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) andpropan-2-ol (5 mL) under argon. The mixture was stirred for 16 hoursbefore filtering the suspension through celite in vacuo. The filter cakewas washed with diethyl ether (20 mL). Hydrochloric acid (1M, 20 mL) wasadded to the filtrate then the organic phase separated. The aqueouslayer was extracted with diethyl ether (20 mL) then the combined organicphase was washed with brine (20 mL), then dried (MgSO₄), filtered andreduced in vacuo to leave a residue (1.06 g). Flash chromatography oversilica, eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 20:80 to 50:50 gavealcohol (14) (528 mg, 68%) as a white solid. [α]_(D) ¹⁶−82.7° (c=11.3,CHCl₃).

(v) Preparation of benzyl(R)-2-((S)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethylcarbamate (18)

Zinc and ‘One-pot’ procedure. A solution of ammonium chloride (600 mg,11.2 mmol) in water (7.5 mL) was added to a solution of bromotosylate(47) (3.0 g, 8.26 mmol) in propan-2-ol (15 mL) under argon. Zinc dust(600 mg, 9.2 mmol) was then added in portions over 4 minutes and themixture was stirred for 16 hours before filtering the suspension throughcelite in vacuo. The filter cake was washed with diethyl ether (60 mL).Hydrochloric acid (1M, 60 mL) was added to the filtrate then the organicphase separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with diethyl ether (60mL) then the combined organic phase was washed with brine (60 mL), thendried (MgSO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo. The residue was dissolvedin ammonium hydroxide (18 mL) and a solution of ammonia in propan-2-ol(12 mL, 2.0M, 24 mmol), then divided into two equal portions and heatedin sealed tubes at 75° C. for 16 hours. The mixtures were combined usingmethanol then the solvents were removed in vacuo. The residue wasazeotroped with diethyl ether (3×10 mL) to obtain(R)-2-amino-1-((S)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)ethanol which was used withoutfurther purification.

A solution of sodium carbonate (1.84 g, 17.4 mmol) in water (16 mL) wasadded whilst stirring to a suspension of(R)-2-amino-1-((S)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)ethanol (assumed to be 8.26mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (20 mL). The mixture was cooled to 0° C. thenbenzylchloroformate (1.77 mL, 12.4 mmol) was added dropwise over 5minutes. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 55 minutes thendichloromethane (75 mL) and water (100 mL) added. The organic phase wasseparated and the aqueous extracted with dichloromethane (2×50 mL). Theorganic phase was washed with brine (50 mL), then dried (Na₂SO₄),filtered and reduced in vacuo to leave a residue (3.7 g). Flashchromatography over silica, eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures20:80 to 70:30 gave alcohol (18) (1.26 g, 58%). [α]_(D) ¹⁶−62.0° (c=5.0,CHCl₃).

Preparation of(R)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-((S)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)ethyl4-methyl benzenesulfonate (32b)

A solution of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (368 mg, 2.03 mmol) in pyridine(1.5 mL) was added to alcohol (18) (333 mg, 1.27 mmol). The mixture wasstirred at 14° C. for 16 hours and at 24° C. for 3.5 hours then dilutedwith tert-butyl methyl ether (35 mL). The organic layer was washed withwater (15 mL), brine (15 mL), then dried (MgSO₄), filtered and reducedin vacuo to leave a pale yellow oil (0.712 g). Flash chromatography oversilica, eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 15:85 to 30:70 gavetosylate (32b) (429 mg, 81%) as a white solid. TLC (R_(f)=0.75,EtOAc:heptane 3:1), analytical HPLC single main peak, R_(t)=18.93 min.,HPLC-MS 374.2, 418.2 [M+H]⁺, 857.3 [2M+Na]; [α]_(D) ^(18.5)−30.2°(c=1.326, CHCl₃); δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) 2.39 (3H, s, aryl-CH₃),3.29-3.37 and 3.53-3.62 (2H total, m, CH₂NH), 4.44-4.50 and 4.52-4.57(2H total, m, OCH₂CH═CH), 4.59-4.65 (1H, m, OCHCH═CH), 4.87-4.92 (1H, m,CHOTs), 5.05 (2H, m, OCH₂Ph), 5.03 (1H, brs, NH), 5.69-5.73 and5.94-5.98 (2H total, m, CH₂CH═CH), 7.28 (2H, d, J=8.10 Hz, aromaticCH₃CCH), 7.29-7.37 (5H, phenyl CH), 7.77 (2H, d, J=8.10 Hz, aromaticOSO₂CCH); δ_(C) (125 MHz, CDCl₃) 21.627 (aryl-CH₃), 41.119 (CH₂NHCbz),66.856 (CH₂Ph), 75.987 (OCH₂CH═CH), 82.352 (CHOTs), 85.622 (OCHCH═CH),124.792, 127.825, 128.027, 128.126, 128.504, 129.357 and 129.537(OCH₂CH═CH and aromatic CH), 133.674 (CHOSO₂C quaternary), 136.348 (Cbzquaternary), 144.941 (CH₃C quaternary), 156.273 (Cbz C═O).

Epoxidation studies with(R)-2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-1-((S)-2,5-dihydro furan-2-yl)ethyl4-methylbenzenesulfonate (32b)

(a) 3-Chloroperbenzoic acid (97 mg, ≦77%, 0.43 mmol) was added to astirred solution of alkene (32b) (36 mg, 0.086 mmol) in dichloromethane(1.5 mL). The mixture was stirred for 20 hours at ambient temperaturethen 3-chloroperbenzoic acid (97 mg, ≦77%, 0.43 mmol) was added andstirring continued for 1 day at 24° C. then diluted with dichloromethane(15 mL). The organic phase was washed with aqueous sodium hydroxidesolution (5%, 10 mL), water (10 mL), then dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered andreduced in vacuo to leave a residue (0.038 mg). Flash chromatographyover silica, eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 10:90 to 50:50gave (in order of elution) anti-(33b) (16 mg, 43%) as a colourlessviscous oil and syn-epoxide (9 mg, 24%) as a white solid. Data foranti-(33b); TLC(R_(f)=0.50, EtOAc:heptane 1:1), analytical HPLC singlemain peak, R_(t)=17.999 min., HPLC-MS 434.1 [M+H]⁺, 456.1 [M+Na]⁺, 889.2[2M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D) ¹⁷+25.6° (c=2.54, CHCl₃); δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) 2.41(3H, s, aryl-CH₃), 3.31-3.38 and 3.60-3.66 (2H total, m, CH₂NH), 3.67(1H, d, J=10.46 Hz, OCH₂CH), 3.75 and 3.81 (each 1H, d, J=2.50 and 2.75Hz respectively, OCH₂CHCH), 3.94 (1H, d, J=10.57 Hz, OCH₂CH), 4.07 (1H,d, J=6.90 Hz, OCHCHOTs), 4.60-4.64 (1H, m, CHOTs), 4.97-5.01 (1H brt,NH), 5.08 (2H, brs, CH₂Ph), 7.29-7.37 (7H, aromatic CH₃CCH and phenylCH), 7.78 (2H, d, J=8.18 Hz, aromatic OSO₂CCH); δ_(C) (125 MHz, CDCl₃)21.665 (aryl-CH₃), 42.054 (CH₂NHCbz), 56.175 and 57.048 (OCH₂CHCH),67.031 (CH₂Ph), 67.672 (OCH₂CH), 76.732 (OCHCHOTs), 79.388 (CHOTs),127.776, 128.108, 128.222, 128.544 and 130.043 (aromatic CH), 133.249(CHOSO₂C quaternary), 136.192 (Cbz quaternary), 145.487 (CH₃Cquaternary), 156.224 (Cbz C═O).

(b) To a solution of alkene (32b) (262 mg, 0.63 mmol) in acetonitrile (4mL) and aqueous Na₂.EDTA (4 mL, 0.4 mmol solution) at 0° C. was added1,1,1-trifluoroacetone (0.67 mL, 7.54 mmol) via a pre-cooled syringe. Tothis solution was added in portions a mixture of sodium bicarbonate(0.44 g, 5.28 mmol) and OXONE® (1.20 g, 1.95 mmol) over a period of 55minutes. The mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours then diluted with water(25 mL) and the product extracted into dichloromethane (2×25 mL). Thecombined organic layers were washed with brine (12.5 mL) then dried(Na₂SO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo to leave a residue (310 mg).Flash chromatography over silica, eluting with ethyl acetate:heptanemixtures 15:85 to 50:50 gave anti-(33b) as a viscous white oil (216 mg,79%).

Preparation of(3R,3aR,6R,6aS)-3-hydroxyhexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-6-yl4-methylbenzenesulfonate (74)

Ethanol (1.5 mL) was added dropwise to a mixture of 10% palladium oncharcoal (20 mg) and anti-(33b) (100 mg, 0.25 mmol) under an atmosphereof argon. The argon was replaced by hydrogen then the suspension wasstirred for 4.5 hours before filtering the mixture through celite invacuo. The filter cake was washed with ethanol (10 mL) then the solventsremoved in vacuo from the filtrate. The residue was azeotroped withtoluene (2×3 mL) to obtain(3R,3aR,6R,6aS)-3-hydroxyhexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-6-yl4-methylbenzenesulfonate (74) which was used without furtherpurification. TLC (R_(f)=0.01, EtOAc:heptane 1:1), HPLC-MS 300.1 [M+H]⁺,621.2 [2M+Na]⁺.

Preparation of (3R,3aR,6R,6aS)-benzyl3-hydroxy-6-(tosyloxy)tetrahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrole-4(5H)-carboxylate(34b)

A solution of sodium carbonate (6.2 mg, 0.058 mmol) in water (0.15 mL)was added whilst stirring to a solution of aminoalcohol (74) in1,4-dioxane (0.3 mL). Benzylchloroformate (5.9 μL, 0.042 mmol) was addedthen the mixture stirred for 2 hours. Water (5 mL) was added and theproduct extracted into dichloromethane (2×5 mL). The organic layer waswashed with brine (5 mL), then dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and reduced invacuo to leave a residue (10.6 mg). Flash chromatography over silica,eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 20:80 to 50:50 gave bicyclicalcohol (34b) (6.6 mg, 54%) as a white solid. TLC (R_(f)=0.20,EtOAc:heptane 1:1), analytical HPLC single main peak, R_(t)=17.32 min.,HPLC-MS 434.1 [M+H]⁺, 889.2 [2M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D) ²⁰−25.7° (c=2.53, CHCl₃);δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) mixture of rotamers major:minor 2:1; 2.01 (0.33H,brs, OH minor), 2.43 (3H, s, aryl-CH₃), 2.77 (0.66H, brs, OH major),3.18-3.24 (0.33H, m, CbzNCH₂ minor), 3.33-3.38 (0.66H, m, CbzNCH₂major), 3.79-3.85 (1H, m, OCH₂CHOH), 3.86-3.91 (1H, m, CbzNCH₂),3.92-3.96 (0.33H, m, OCH₂CHOH minor), 3.96-4.01 (0.66H, m, OCH₂CHOHmajor), 4.13-4.16 (1H, m, CbzNCH), 4.35 (0.33H, m, OCH₂CHOH minor), 4.45(0.66H, m, OCH₂CHOH major), 4.56 (0.33H, t, J=4.64 Hz, TsOCHCH, minor),4.64 (0.66H, t, J=4.36 Hz, TsOCHCH, major), 4.71-4.78 (1H, m, TsOCHCH),5.06-5.17 (2H, m, CH₂Ph), 7.31-7.38 (7H, m, phenyl CH and aromaticCH₃CCH), 7.80 (2H, d, J=8.33 Hz, aromatic OSO₂CCH); δ_(C) (125 MHz,CDCl₃) 21.683 (aryl-CH₃), 47.384/47.855 (CbzNCH₂), 67.636/67.717(CH₂Ph), 68.042/68.817 (CbzNCH), 75.525/75.967 (OCH₂CHOH), 75.967/76.836(OCH₂CHOH), 76.068/76.401 (TsOCHCH), 79.342/80.208 (TsOCHCH), 127.965,128.107, 128.382, 128.510, 128.605, 128.753, 129.940 and 129.997(aromatic CH), 132.991 (CHOSO₂C quaternary), 135.779/135.869 (Cbzquaternary), 145.319 (CH₃C quaternary), 153.862/154.751 (Cbz C═O).

Preparation of (3aS,6S,6aS)-(9H-Fluoren-9-yl)methyl6-chloro-3-oxotetrahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrole-4(5H)-carboxylate (71)

Following Scheme 17. (i) Preparation of (3R,3aR,6S,6aS)-Benzyl6-chloro-3-hydroxytetrahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrole-4(5H)-carboxylate(68).

Lithium chloride (2.38 g, 56.2 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of(3R,3aR,6R,6aS)-benzyl3-hydroxy-6-(tosyloxy)tetrahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrole-4(5H)-carboxylate(34b) (2.435 g, 5.62 mmol) in dimethylformamide (75 mL) under anatmosphere of argon. The mixture was heated at 130° C. for 7 hours thenallowed to cool to ambient temperature. The mixture was diluted withdichloromethane (100 mL), then water (50 mL) was added and the mixturefiltered through celite (filter cake washed with dichloromethane). Thefiltrate was separated then the organic phase washed with water (2×50mL), then dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo to leave aresidue (1.54 g). Flash chromatography over silica, eluting with ethylacetate:heptane mixtures 20:80 to 60:40 gave alcohol (68) (1.28 g, 77%)as an orange-brown solid. TLC (R_(f)=0.40, EtOAc:heptane 2:1),analytical HPLC single main peak, R_(t)=11.47 min., HPLC-MS 298.1/300.1[M+H]⁺, 617.1 [2M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D) ^(23.0)−72.8° (c=2.61, CHCl₃); δ_(H)(500 MHz, CDCl₃) mixture of rotamers major:minor 2:1; 1.78 and 2.24(approx. 1H total, each brs, OH), 3.58-3.63 (1H, m, 1×CbzNCH₂),3.83-3.88 (2H, m, OCH₂CHOH), 3.91 (0.66H, d, J=13.08 Hz, 1×CbzNCH₂,major), 4.02 (0.33H, J=13.09 Hz, 1×CbzNCH₂, minor), 4.24-4.26 (1H, m,CHCl), 4.39-4.42 (0.66H, m, CbzNCH minor and OCH₂CHOH minor), 4.43(0.66H, d, J=4.33 Hz, CbzNCH major), 4.52 (0.66H, brs, OCH₂CHOH major),4.72-4.75 (1H, m, CHCHCl), 5.11-5.16 (1.66H, m, 2×CH₂Ph major and1×CH₂Ph minor), 5.24 (0.33H, d, J=12.29 Hz 1×CH₂Ph minor), 7.29-7.37(5H, m, phenyl CH); δ_(C) (125 MHz, CDCl₃) 53.57/53.74 (CbzNCH₂),57.91/58.38 (CHCl), 67.53/67.58 (CH₂Ph), 67.69/68.64 (CbzNCH),75.06/75.93 (OCH₂CHOH), 75.12/75.18 (OCH₂CHOH), 86.66/87.59 (CHCHCl),127.85, 127.90, 128.24, 128.32, 128.56 and 128.69 (aromatic CH),135.97/136.15 (Cbz quaternary), 154.41/154.96 (Cbz C═O).

(ii) (3R,3aR,6S,6aS)-(9H-Fluoren-9-yl)methyl6-chloro-3-hydroxytetrahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrole-4(5H)-carboxylate(70). Ethanol (8.5 mL) was added dropwise to a mixture of 10% palladiumon charcoal (55 mg) and alcohol (68) (550 mg, 1.85 mmol) under anatmosphere of argon. The argon was replaced by hydrogen then thesuspension was stirred for 1 hour 35 minutes before filtering themixture through celite in vacuo. The filter cake was washed with ethanol(45 mL) then the solvents removed in vacuo from the filtrate. Theresidue was azeotroped with toluene (3×5 mL) to obtain(3R,3aR,6S,6aS)-6-chlorohexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-ol (69) whichwas used without further purification.

A solution of sodium carbonate (0.49 g, 4.63 mmol) in water (7.5 mL)followed by a solution of 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (0.55 g,2.13 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (2.5 mL) was added dropwise over 15 minuteswhilst stirring to a solution of aminoalcohol (69) in 1,4-dioxane (5mL). The mixture was stirred for 60 minutes then water (50 mL) was addedand the product extracted into dichloromethane (3×25 mL), then dried(Na₂SO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo to leave a colourless oil. Flashchromatography over silica, eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures10:90 to 45:55 gave alcohol (70) (623 mg, 87%) as a white solid. TLC(R_(f)=0.45, EtOAc:heptane 1:1), analytical HPLC single main peak,R_(t)=16.54 min., HPLC-MS 386.1/388.1 [M+H]⁺, 408.1/410.1 [M+Na]⁺;[α]_(D) ^(27.5)−51.9° (c=2.31, CHCl₃); (proton complex) δ_(C) (125 MHz,CDCl₃) 47.21/47.41 (Fmoc CH), 53.30/53.43 (FmocNCH₂), 57.74/58.36(CHCl), 66.04/67.42 (Fmoc CH₂), 67.87/68.52 (FmocNCH), 74.81/75.09(OCH₂CHOH), 74.92/75.51 (OCH₂CHOH), 86.57/87.24 (CHCHCl),119.80/119.82/120.00/120.64/124.55/124.63/124.90/127.04/127.08/127.40/127.51/127.78/127.80/127.87and 127.91 (aromatic CH), 141.21/141.29/141.38/143.44/143.70/143.88 and143.91 (aromatic quaternary), 154.13/154.79 (Fmoc C═O).

(iii) (3aS,6S,6aS)-(9H-Fluoren-9-yl)methyl6-chloro-3-oxotetrahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrole-4(5H)-carboxylate (71).Dess-Martin periodinane (1.32 g, 3.11 mmol) was added to a stirredsolution of alcohol (70) (600 mg, 1.56 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 mL)under an atmosphere of argon. The mixture was stirred for 19 hours thendiluted with dichloromethane (50 mL) then washed with a mixture ofsaturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and 0.25M sodium thiosulphatesolution (1:1, 30 mL), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (25 mL),brine (25 mL), then dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo toobtain a white solid (935 mg). Flash chromatography over silica, elutingwith ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 15:85 to 100:0 gave ketone (71) (506mg, 85%) as a white solid contaminated with 2-iodosylbenzoic acid (<5%).TLC (R_(f)=0.35, EtOAc:heptane 1:1), analytical HPLC single main peak,R_(t)=15.81 min., HPLC-MS 384.1/386.1 [M+H]⁺, 406.1/408.1 [M+Na]⁺,424.1/426.1 [M+H₂O+Na]⁺, 789.1/791.2 [2M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D) ^(25.5)−144.6°(c=2.18, CHCl₃); δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) mixture of rotamers major:minor0.55:0.45; 3.75-3.89 (1H, m, 1×FmocNCH₂), 3.93-4.03 (1.55H, m, 1×OCH₂C═Oand 1×FmocNCH₂ major), 4.12-4.22 (1.45H, m, 1×OCH₂C═O and 1×FmocNCH₂minor), 4.25 (0.55H, brt, J=6.72 Hz, Fmoc CH major), 4.30-4.44 (2.45H,m, CHCl, 1×FmocNCH₂ and Fmoc CH minor), 4.45 (0.45H, d, J=4.46 Hz,FmocNCH minor), 4.50-4.58 (1.55H, m, 1×Fmoc CH₂ and FmocNCH major), 4.85(0.55H, d, J=4.44 Hz, CHCHCl major), 4.90 (0.45H, d, J=4.41 Hz, CHCHClminor), 7.27-7.76 (8H, aromatic CH); δ_(C) (125 MHz, CDCl₃) 47.09/47.13(Fmoc CH), 53.43/53.66 (FmocNCH₂), 57.60/58.09 (CHCl), 60.47/60.87(FmocNCH), 67.86/68.56 (Fmoc CH₂), 70.75 (OCH₂C═O), 86.32/87.32(CHCHCl), 119.93/119.99/120.08/124.87/124.94/125.17/125.36/127.09/127.71and 127.74 (aromatic CH), 141.28/141.32/143.51/143.63 and 144.16(aromatic quaternary), 154.88/154.94 (Fmoc C═O), 206.45/206.64(OCH₂C═O).

Alternative preparation of (3R,3aR,6S,6aS)-Benzyl6-chloro-3-hydroxytetrahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrole-4(5H)-carboxylate(68)

Lithium chloride (142 mg, 3.34 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of(3R,3aR,6R,6aS) 3-hydroxyhexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-6-yl4-methylbenzenesulfonate (74) (100 mg, 0.33 mmol) in dimethylformamide(3 mL) under an atmosphere of argon. The mixture was heated at 130° C.for 2.75 hours then allowed to cool to ambient temperature to give asolution containing 6-chloroaminoalcohol (69). A solution of sodiumcarbonate (89 mg, 0.84 mmol) in water (1.5 mL) was added followed bybenzylchloroformate (0.105 mL, 0.74 mmol). The mixture was stirred for35 minutes then dichloromethane (10 mL) and water (15 mL) added. Theorganic phase was separated and the aqueous extracted withdichloromethane (2×5 mL). The combined organic phase was washed withbrine (5 mL), then dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo toleave a black residue (97 mg). Flash chromatography over silica, elutingwith ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 5:95 to 50:50 gave 6-chloroalcohol(68) (48 mg, 48%) as a pale yellow oil. TLC (R_(f)=0.30, EtOAc:heptane3:2), analytical HPLC single main peak, R_(t)=11.47 min., HPLC-MS298.0/300.0 [M+H]⁺, 617.1/619.1 [2M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D) ²²−76.9° (c=4.81,CHCl₃).

Preparation of(S)-4-benzyl-3-(2-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)acetyl)oxazolidin-2-one(127); Scheme 18

Trans-(4-methylcyclohexyl)acetic acid (2.0 g, 12.8 mmol, ABCR GmbH,AB168553) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (100 mL), stirred and cooled to−78° C. Triethylamine (2.36 mL, 16.0 mmol) was added followed bypivaloyl chloride (1.78 mL, 14.4 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at 0°C. for 1 h. The mixture was then re-cooled to −78° C.(S)-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone (4.38 g, 24.6 mmol) was dissolved inanhydrous THF with stirring, cooled to −78° C. and n-BuLi (2.5M, 9.95mL, 24.9 mmol) added. This mixture was added via cannula to thepre-activated acid mixture over 5 mins. The reaction was stirred at 0°C. for 1 h, ambient temperature for 4 h, then reduced in vacuo. Theresultant slurry was dissolved in DCM (100 mL) and washed with potassiumphosphate (0.1M, pH7, 100 mL). The aqueous was back-washed with DCM(2×100 mL) and the combined organics washed with 5% Na₂CO₃ (100 mL),then brine (100 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. Filtration and reduction invacuo gave a crude yellow wax (6.9 g). Flash chromatography over silica,eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures 0:100 to 15:85 gave amixture of product (127) and (S)-4-benzyl-3-pivaloyloxazolidin-2-one asan off-white waxy solid (3.7 g). TLC (R_(f)=0.50, EtOAc:heptane 1:2),analytical HPLC, R_(t)=15.70 (pivaloyl-auxillary 32.5%), 19.00 min(desired 67.5%), HPLC-MS 262.1 [M+H]⁺ (pivaloyl-auxillary), 316.2[M+H]⁺, 653.2 [2M+Na]⁺.

By δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) NMR integration of product (127) CH₃ (d, 0.83)and pivaloyl-auxillary (CH₃)₃ (s, 1.38), shows (127) is present at ˜60%.

Preparation of(S)-3-((S)-2-Azido-2-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)acetyl)-4-benzyloxazolidin-2-one(128)

A solution of potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (0.5M in toluene, 30.6mL, 15.29 mmol) was added over 5 minutes to a stirred solutioncontaining a 3:2 mixture of(S)-4-benzyl-3-(2-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)acetyl)oxazolidin-2-one(127) and (S)-4-benzyl-3-pivaloyloxazolidin-2-one (3.7 g, (127)estimated to be 7.05 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (70 mL) at −70° C. underan atmosphere of argon. The solution was stirred at −70° C. for 20minutes then a solution of trisyl azide (5.62 g, 18.18 mmol) intetrahydrofuran (40 mL, precooled to −70° C.) was added via cannula over8 minutes. The mixture was stirred at −70° C. for 1 hour then glacialacetic acid (1.85 mL) was added. The cooling bath was removed and themixture stirred for 45 minutes at ambient temperature then at 30° C. for2 hours. A saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (100mL) was added then the majority of solvents were removed in vacuo. Theresidue was partitioned between dichloromethane (300 mL) and brine (300mL). The aqueous layer was re-extracted with dichloromethane (2×100 mL)then the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueoussodium hydrogen carbonate solution (100 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filteredand reduced in vacuo to leave a yellow oil (6.74 g). Flashchromatography over silica, eluting with ethyl acetate:heptane mixtures0:100 to 20:80 gave a 1:3 mixture of(S)-4-benzyl-3-pivaloyloxazolidin-2-one and (S)-3-((S)-2-azido-241r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)acetyl)-4-benzyloxazolidin-2-one (4) as a paleyellow oil (2.815 g, estimated yield of (128) 84%). Data for(S)-3-((S)-2-azido-2-((1s,4R)-4-methylcyclohexyl)acetyl)-4-benzyloxazolidin-2-one(128): TLC (R_(f)=0.45, EtOAc:heptane 1:3), analytical HPLC,R_(t)=20.181 min., HPLC-MS 329.2 [M−N₂+H]⁺, 735.4 [2M+Na]⁺.

Preparation of tert-Butyl(S)-2-((S)-4-benzyl-2-oxooxazolidin-3-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethylcarbamate(129)

10% Palladium on charcoal (500 mg) was added to a 1:3 mixture of(S)-4-benzyl-3-pivaloyloxazolidin-2-one and(S)-3-((S)-2-azido-2-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)acetyl)-4-benzyloxazolidin-2-one(128) (2.75 g) followed by a solution of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (6.06g, 27.8 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (30 mL) under an atmosphere ofargon. The argon was replaced by hydrogen then the mixture was stirredfor 4 hours before filtering through celite in vacuo. The filter cakewas washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (50 mL) then the solvents removedin vacuo from the filtrate (water bath temperature<50° C.). The residuewas dissolved in ethyl acetate (400 mL) then washed with brine (3×100mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo to leave a pale brownoil (6.9 g). Flash chromatography over silica, eluting with ethylacetate:heptane mixtures 0:100 to 30:70 gave tert-butyl(S)-2-((S)-4-benzyl-2-oxooxazolidin-3-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethylcarbamate(129) as a white oily solid (1.415 g). TLC (R_(f)=0.35, EtOAc:heptane1:3), analytical HPLC, R_(t)=19.760 min., HPLC-MS 331.2 [M−Boc+2H]⁺,375.2 [M+2H−^(t)Bu]⁺, 883.4 [2M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D) ²¹+72.5° (c=2.35, CHCl₃).

Preparation of(S)-2-(tert-Butoxycarbonylamino)-2-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)aceticacid (130)

Aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution (30% 1.52 mL) was added to a stirredsolution of tert-butyl(S)-2-((S)-4-benzyl-2-oxooxazolidin-3-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethylcarbamate(129) (1.36 g, 3.16 mmol) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (40 mL) andwater (12 mL) at 0° C. Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (165 mg, 3.92 mmol)was added then the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours beforeadding a solution of sodium sulphite (1.65 g) in water (10 mL) followedby aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (30 mL). The mixture wasstirred for 5 minutes then the volume reduced by half in vacuo (≧25mbar, external water bath 25° C.). Water (50 mL) was added then the pHadjusted to ≦2 using 5M hydrochloric acid. The aqueous phase wasextracted with dichloromethane (4×50 mL), then the combined organiclayers were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo to leave acolourless oil (1.68 g) The oil was partitioned between a solution ofsodium carbonate (1.75 g) in water (50 mL) and diethyl ether (40 mL).The aqueous layer was re-extracted with diethyl ether (2×40 mL) then thepH adjusted to ≦2 using 5M hydrochloric acid. The acidified aqueouslayer was then extracted with diethyl ether (3×50 mL) then the combinedorganic layers dried (MgSO₄), filtered and reduced in vacuo to leave(S)-2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2-((1r, 4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)aceticacid (130) which was contaminated with approximately 10% of(S)-4-benzyloxazolidin-2-one as an oily white solid (858 mg). HPLC-MS172.1 [M−Boc+2H]⁺, 216.1 [M+2H−^(t)Bu]⁺, 257.1 [M−CH₃+H]⁺, 565.4[2M+Na]⁺; [α]_(D) ²¹+29.6° (c=3.205, CHCl₃). δ_(H) (500 MHz, CDCl₃)mixture of rotamers major:minor 3:1; 0.85 (3H, d, J=6.51 Hz, CH₃CH),0.86-0.98 (2H, m, 1× cyclohexyl-CH₂), 1.05-1.33 (3H, m, CH₃CH and 1×cyclohexyl-CH₂), 1.43 (9H, s, (CH₃)₃C), 1.59-1.80 (5H, m, NCHCH and 2×cyclohexyl-CH₂), 4.02 (0.25H, brs, NCH), 4.18-4.26 (0.75H, m, NCH), 5.03(0.75H, d, J=8.82, NH), 6.05 (0.25H, brd, J=4.14 Hz, NH); δ_(c) (125MHz, CDCl₃) 22.403 (CH₃CH), 27.718, 29.304, 34.576 and 34.653(cyclohexyl-CH₂), 28.297 ((CH₃)₃C), 32.202 (CH₃CH), 40.386 (NHCHCH),58.012 (NHCH), 80.000 ((CH₃)₃C), 155.754 (NHC═O), 177.156 (CHC═O).

Solid Phase Chemistry

Fmoc-ketone building block (71) may be utilised in a solid phasesynthesis of EXAMPLE inhibitors (1-22) of general formula I. The methodsused were directly analogous to those described in detail in WO02057270,utilising the 4-{[(Hydrazinocarbonyl)amino]methyl}cyclohexane carboxylicacid trifluoroacetate based linker, solid phase lanterns (ex Mimotopes),standard Fmoc chemistries and acidolytic cleavage followed bysemi-preparative HPLC purification (see WO02057270 pg 124-127 for fullgeneric details). Novel compounds (1-22) or prior art compound (38) aredetailed for comparison and can readily be prepared by the generalmethods detailed in WO02057270 or WO0807127 through use of appropriateFmoc-ketone building blocks (e.g. 6-unsubstituted bicycle (WO02057270),compound 19, pg 134; 6(S)-fluoro bicycle (WO0807127, compound 63, pg88); 6(S)-chloro bicycle (WO0807127, compound 71, pg 94); 6(R)-chlorobicycle (WO0807127, compound 79, pg 98)). Fmoc-ketone building blocksare then derivatised as appropriate with a R⁹—COOH carboxylic acid viastandard uronium activation techniques.

Example 1N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=3.05 min, 419.2/421.2 [M+H]⁺, 437.2/439.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 2 N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.87 min, 487.2/489.2 [M+H]⁺, 505.2/507.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 3N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=3.00 min, 501.2/503.2 [M+H]⁺, 519.2/521.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 4N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.31 min, 485.2/487.2 [M+H]⁺, 503.2/505.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 5N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.53 min, 486.2/488.2 [M+H]⁺, 504.2/506.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 6 N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=3.11 min, 485.2/487.2 [M+H]⁺, 503.2/505.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 7N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.80 min, 486.2/488.2 [M+H]⁺, 504.2/506.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 8N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)nicotinamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.49 min, 420.2/422.2 [M+H]⁺, 438.2/440.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 9N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)isonicotinamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.45 min, 420.2/422.2 [M+H]⁺, 438.2/440.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 10N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)furan-2-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.81 min, 409.1/411.1 [M+H]⁺, 427.2/429.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 11N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3,5-difluorobenzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=3.30 min, 455.2/457.2 [M+H]⁺, 473.1/475.1 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 12N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.39 min, 496.2/498.2 [M+H]⁺, 514.2/516.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 13N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-6-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.61 min, 460.2/462.2 [M+H]⁺, 478.2/480.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 14N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzo[d]thiazole-6-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.91 min, 476.1/478.1 [M+H]⁺, 494.1/496.1 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 15N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole-5-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=3.23 min, 461.2/463.2 [M+H]⁺, 479.2/481.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 16N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-1H-indole-5-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.95 min, 458.2/460.2 [M+H]⁺, 476.2/478.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 17N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-6-hydroxypicolinamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.51 min, 436.2/438.2 [M+H]⁺, 454.2/456.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 18N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2,3-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline-6-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.00 min, 503.2/505.2 [M+H]⁺, 521.2/523.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 19N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-6-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.28 min, 488.2/490.2 [M+H]⁺, 506.2/508.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 20N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazine-7-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.31 min, 490.2/492.2 [M+H]⁺, 508.2/510.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 21N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-4-(methylsulfonamido)benzamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.42 min, 512.2/514.2 [M+H]⁺, 530.2/532.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Example 22N—((S)-2-((3aS,6S,6aS)-6-chloro-3-oxodihydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-4(5H,6H,6aH)-yl)-1-((1r,4S)-4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl)-2-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-7-carboxamide

HPLC-MS R_(t)=2.48 min, 502.2/504.2 [M+H]⁺, 520.2/522.2 [M+H+18]⁺.

Solution Phase Syntheses

Alternatively, EXAMPLES of the invention may be prepared by traditionalsolution phase organic chemistry techniques for example from buildingblock (69) (3R,3aR,6S,6aS)-6-chlorohexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrol-3-ol(e.g. following the general methods detailed in WO08007127, pg 103-107).

Formation of EXAMPLE .Hydrochloride Salt

EXAMPLE ketone (free base) (1 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (16.7mL) and standardised 0.1N HCl (1.3 eq, 13.0 mL) was added. The mixturewas frozen and lyophilised to leave the EXAMPLE .hydrochloride salt as asolid.

Example A Assays for Cysteine Protease Activity

The compounds of this invention may be tested in one of a number ofliterature based biochemical assays that are designed to elucidate thecharacteristics of compound inhibition. The data from these types ofassays enables compound potency and the rates of reaction to be measuredand quantified. This information, either alone or in combination withother information, would allow the amount of compound required toproduce a given pharmacological effect to be determined

In Vitro Cathepsin Ki Inhibition Measurements

Stock solutions of substrate or inhibitor were made up to 10 mM in 100%dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (Rathburns, Glasgow, U.K.) and diluted asappropriately required. In all cases the DMSO concentration in theassays was maintained at less than 1% (vol./vol.). The equilibriuminhibition constants (K_(i) ^(ss)) for each compound were measured understeady-state conditions monitoring enzyme activity as a function ofinhibitor concentration. The values were calculated on the assumption ofpure competitive behaviour (Cornish-Bowden, A. Fundamentals of enzymekinetics Portland Press; 1995, 93-128.).

Human recombinant cathepsin K (0.25 nM final; B. Turk, Josef, StefanInstitute, Ljubljana, Slovenia), was routinely assayed in 100 mM sodiumacetate; pH 5.5 containing 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM L-cysteine and 1.8 μMZ-Leu-Arg-AMC ([S]=K_(M)).

Human recombinant cathepsin S (0.25 nM final, Merck, E. coli cat#219343) was routinely assayed in 10 mM Bis Tris Propane; pH 6.5containing 1 mM EDTA, 5 mM β mercaptoethanol, 1 mM CaCl₂ and 45 μMBoc-Val-leu-Lys-AMC ([S]=K_(M)) (Sigma Chemical Company, Poole, U.K.).

Human liver cathepsin B (0.25 nM final; Merck Biosciences), wasroutinely assayed in 10 mM bis-tris propane; pH 6.5 containing 1 mMEDTA, 5 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 1 mM CaCl₂ and 60 μM Z-Phe-Arg-AMC([S]=K_(M)) (Bachem, Weil am Rhein, Germany).

Human recombinant cathepsin V (0.25 nM final, Merck Biosciences) wasroutinely assayed in 100 mM sodium acetate; pH 5.5 containing 10 mML-cysteine, 0.001% (vol./vol.) zwittergent 3-12 (Merck Biosciences) and5 μM Z-Leu-Arg-AMC (K_(M)=0.5 μM) (Amura).

Human liver cathepsin L (0.25 nM final, Athens Research and Technology,GA, USA) was routinely assayed in 10 mM bis-tris propane; pH 6.5containing 1 mM EDTA, 5 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 1 mM CaCl₂ and 4 μMAc-Phe-Arg-AMC ([S]=K_(M)) (Bachem).

Measurement of the Apparent Macroscopic Binding (Michaelis) Constants(K_(M) ^(app)) for Substrates

The apparent macroscopic binding constant (K_(M) ^(app)) for eachsubstrate was calculated, from the dependence of enzyme activity as afunction of substrate concentration. The observed rates were plotted onthe ordinate against the related substrate concentration on the abscissaand the data fitted by direct regression analysis (Prism v 3.02;GraphPad, San Diego, USA) using Equation 1 (Cornish-Bowden, A.Fundamentals of enzyme kinetics Portland Press; 1995, 93-128.).

$\begin{matrix}{v_{i} = \frac{V_{\max}^{app}.\lbrack S_{o} \rbrack}{\lbrack S_{o} \rbrack + K_{M}^{app}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

In Equation 1 ‘v_(i)’ is the observed initial rate, ‘V_(max) ^(app)’ isthe observed maximum activity at saturating substrate concentration,‘K_(m) ^(app)’ is the apparent macroscopic binding (Michaelis) constantfor the substrate, ‘[S_(o)]’ is the initial substrate concentration.

Measurement of the Inhibition Constants

The apparent inhibition constant (K_(i)) for each compound wasdetermined on the basis that inhibition was reversible and occurred by apure-competitive mechanism. The K_(i) values were calculated, from thedependence of enzyme activity as a function of inhibitor concentration,by direct regression analysis (Prism v 3.02) using Equation 2(Cornish-Bowden, A., 1995.).

$\begin{matrix}{v_{i} = \frac{V_{\max}^{app}.\lbrack S\rbrack}{\lbrack S\rbrack + \{ {K_{M}^{app}.( {\lbrack I\rbrack/K_{i}} )} \}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

In Equation 2 ‘v_(i)’ is the observed residual activity, ‘V_(max)^(app)’ is the observed maximum activity (i.e. in the absence ofinhibitor), ‘K_(m) ^(app)’ is the apparent macroscopic binding(Michaelis) constant for the substrate, ‘[S]’ is the initial substrateconcentration, ‘K_(i)’ is the apparent dissociation constant and ‘[I]’is the inhibitor concentration.

In situations where the apparent dissociation constant (K_(i) ^(app))approached the enzyme concentrations, the K_(i) ^(app) values werecalculated using a quadratic solution in the form described by Equation3 (Morrison, J. F. Trends Biochem. Sci., 7, 102-105, 1982; Morrison, J.F. Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 185, 269-286, 1969; Stone, S. R. andHofsteenge, J. Biochemistry, 25, 4622-4628, 1986).

$\begin{matrix}{v_{i} = \frac{F\{ {E_{o} - {I_{o}K_{i}^{app}} + \sqrt{( {E_{o} - I_{o} - K_{i}^{app}} )^{2} + {4.{K_{i}^{app}.E_{o}}}}} \}}{2}} & (3)\end{matrix}$K _(i) ^(app) =K _(i)(1+[S _(o) ]/K _(M) ^(app))  (4)

In Equation 3 ‘v_(i)’ is the observed residual activity, ‘F’ is thedifference between the maximum activity (i.e. in the absence ofinhibitor) and minimum enzyme activity, ‘E_(o)’ is the total enzymeconcentration, ‘K_(i) ^(app)’ is the apparent dissociation constant and‘I_(o)’ is the inhibitor concentration. Curves were fitted by non-linearregression analysis (Prism) using a fixed value for the enzymeconcentration. Equation 4 was used to account for the substratekinetics, where ‘K_(i)’ is the inhibition constant, ‘[S_(o)]’ is theinitial substrate concentration and ‘K_(m) ^(app)’ is the apparentmacroscopic binding (Michaelis) constant for the substrate (Morrison,1982).

The Second-Order Rate of Reaction of Inhibitor with Enzyme

Where applicable, the concentration dependence of the observed rate ofreaction (k_(obs)) of each compound with enzyme was analysed bydetermining the rate of enzyme inactivation under pseudo-first orderconditions in the presence of substrate (Morrison, J. F., TIBS, 102-105,1982; Tian, W. X. and Tsou, C. L., Biochemistry, 21, 1028-1032, 1982;Morrison, J. F. and Walsh, C. T., from Meister (Ed.), Advances inEnzymol., 61, 201-301, 1988; Tsou, C. L., from Meister (Ed.), Advancesin Enzymol., 61, 381-436, 1988). Assays were carried out by addition ofvarious concentrations of inhibitor to assay buffer containingsubstrate. Assays were initiated by the addition of enzyme to thereaction mixture and the change in fluorescence monitored over time.During the course of the assay less than 10% of the substrate wasconsumed.

$\begin{matrix}{F = {{v_{s}t} + \frac{( {v_{o} - v_{s}} )\lfloor {1 - ^{({k_{obs} \cdot t})}} \rfloor}{k_{obs}} + D}} & (5)\end{matrix}$

The activity fluorescence progress curves were fitted by non-linearregression analysis (Prism) using Eq. 5 (Morrison, 1969; Morrison,1982); where ‘F’ is the fluorescence response, ‘t’ is time, ‘v_(o)’ isthe initial velocity, ‘v_(s)’ is the equilibrium steady-state velocity,‘k_(obs)’ is the observed pseudo first-order rate constant and ‘D’ isthe intercept at time zero (i.e. the ordinate displacement of thecurve). The second order rate constant was obtained from the slope ofthe line of a plot of k_(obs) versus the inhibitor concentration (i.e.k_(obs)/[I]). To correct for substrate kinetics, Eq. 6 was used, where‘[S_(o)]’ is the initial substrate concentration and ‘K_(M) ^(app)’ isthe apparent macroscopic binding (Michaelis) constant for the substrate.

$\begin{matrix}{k_{inact} = \frac{k_{obs}( {1 + {\lbrack S_{o} \rbrack/K_{M}^{app}}} )}{\lbrack I\rbrack}} & (6)\end{matrix}$

Compounds of the invention when tested by the above described assaysexhibit cathepsin K inhibitory activity with an in vitro Ki inhibitoryconstant of less than or equal to 100 nM.

Liver Microsomal Incubations:

Human and rat liver microsomes were purchased from BD Gentest (Woburn,Mass., USA) and β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 2′-phosphate reducedtetrasodium salt (NADPH) was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Poole,Dorset, UK). All liver microsome incubations were carried out in 50 mMpotassium phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, with a final microsomal proteinconcentration of 0.5 mg/mL. Compounds were taken from 5 mM DMSO stocksolutions and diluted in incubation buffer to give a final concentrationof 25 μM, with a final DMSO concentration of 0.5% v/v. In brief,compounds were added to the incubation buffer along with the livermicrosomes and incubated at 37° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction was theninitiated by the addition of NADPH, previously dissolved in incubationbuffer, to give a final concentration of 1 mM and re-incubated at 37° C.Aliquots were removed at 2 and 60 minutes and quenched with an equalvolume of cold acetonitrile. After mixing vigorously, the precipitatedprotein matter was removed by filtration (Multiscreen Solvinert filterplates, Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA) and the filtrate analysed byreverse phase HPLC with mass spectrometric detection, using single ionmonitoring of the [M+H]⁺ species. Metabolic turnover was determined bycomparison of peak areas from the ion chromatograms of the parentcompound at 2 and 60 minutes and expressed as percent remaining at 1hour.

Plasma Incubations:

Human and rat plasma were purchased from Innovative Research Inc.(Southfield. Mich., USA). Compounds were taken from 5 mM DMSO stocksolutions and added to plasma, which had previously been incubated at37° C., to give a final concentration of 25 μM and re-incubated.Aliquots were removed at 2 and 60 minutes and quenched with an equalvolume of cold acetonitrile. After mixing vigorously, the precipitatedprotein matter was removed by filtration (Multiscreen Solvinert filterplates, Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA) and the filtrate analysed byreverse phase HPLC with mass spectrometric detection, using single ionmonitoring of the [M+H]⁺ species. Metabolic turnover was determined bycomparison of peak areas from the ion chromatograms of the parentcompound at 2 and 60 minutes and expressed as percent remaining at 1hour.

LogD Determinations:

LogD_((PBS)) determinations were performed in 96 well microtitre platesusing a miniaturised “shake-flask” method. In brief, compounds weretaken from 10 mM DMSO stock solutions and added to wells containingequal volumes of phosphate buffered saline (10 mM; pH 7.4) (PBS) and1-octanol (Sigma-Aldrich, Poole, Dorset, UK) to give a finalconcentration of 50 μM. The plates were then capped and mixed vigorouslyfor 1 hour on a microtitre plate shaker, after which they were left tostand, allowing the PBS and octanol phases to separate. The PBS layerwas analysed by reverse phase HPLC with mass spectrometric detection,using single ion monitoring of the [M+H]⁺ species. LogD_((PBS)) wasdetermined by comparison of the peak area from the ion chromatogram ofthe compound in the PBS phase with that of a 50 μM standard of the samecompound dissolved in acetonitrile/water (50:50) and calculated usingthe following formula:

${LogD} = {\log \lbrack \frac{{AUCstd} - {AUCpbs}}{AUCpbs} \rbrack}$

Where AUCstd and AUCpbs are the peak areas from the standard and testion chromatograms respectively. LogD_((PBS)) determinations were alsomade using PBS at pH6.9 and 5.5 by adjusting the pH of the buffer priorto the start of the assay, with 0.1 M HCL.

Various modifications and variations of the described aspects of theinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention hasbeen described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, itshould be understood that the invention as claimed should not be undulylimited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications ofthe described modes of carrying out the invention which are obvious tothose skilled in the relevant fields are intended to be within the scopeof the following claims.

TABLE 1 Biological properties for EXAMPLE compounds, prior art compound(38) (WO-A-02057270, pg 151) and novel Compounds 1-15. In vitro In vitroIn vitro In vitro In vitro Ki (nM) Ki (nM) Ki (nM) Ki (nM) Ki (nM) vsCath vs Cath vs Cath vs Cath vs Cath Compound S K L B V

  Prior art compound 38 (WO-A- 02057270, pg 151) 555 >4000 1700 >100005700

  Compound 1; within (but not specifically exemplified) prior art(Quibell, M. et. al. WO02057270). 225 305 1250 >10000 1900

  Compound 2; novel compound for comparison. 59 95 580 >7000 700

  Compound 3; novel compound for comparison. 8.5 35 100 780 100

  Compound 4; within (but not specifically exemplified) prior art(Quibell, M. et. al. WO02057270). 72 >4800 >10000 >10000 >10000

  Compound 5; novel compound for comparison. 28 >10000 >10000 >10000>10000

  EXAMPLE 1 5 >10000 1400 >10000 >10000

  Compound 6; novel compound for comparison. 75 >10000 >10000 >10000>10000

  Compound 7; within (but not specifically exemplified) prior art(Quibell, M. et. al. WO02057270). 170 560 >6500 >10000 5000

  Compound 8; novel compound for comparison. 50 340 4000 6000 2000

  Compound 9; novel compound for comparison. 3.6 27 >1200 650 240

  Compound 10; within (but not specifically exemplified) prior art(Quibell, M. et. al. WO02057270). 79 >10000 >10000 >10000 >10000

  Compound 11; novel compound for comparison. 24 >10000 >10000 >10000>10000

  EXAMPLE 2 2.2 >8000 >10000 >10000 >10000

  Compound 12; novel compound for comparison. 55 >10000 >10000 >10000>10000

  EXAMPLE 3 12 >10000 >10000 >10000 1700

  Compound 13; novel compound for comparison. 1.7 23 270 440 170

  Compound 14; novel compound for comparison. 32 230 1900 5000 1800

  Compound 15; novel compound for comparison. 15 >10000 >10000 >10000>10000

  EXAMPLE 4 0.4 >3000 4500 4000 3200

1. A method of inhibiting a cysteine proteinase in a cell, said methodcomprising contacting said cell with a pharmaceutical or veterinarycomposition of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt,hydrate, complex or pro-drug thereof,

wherein: one of R³ and R⁴ is H, and the other is selected fromC₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-haloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂-aralkyl; or R³ and R⁴are each independently selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl and halo; R⁹ is selectedfrom the following:

wherein: X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ are each independentlyselected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N; suchthat a maximum of two of X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ areselected from N, C-halo and C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy); X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are eachindependently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy),C-halo, N and C—OH; such that a maximum of one of X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ isN, C-halo, C—OH or C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy); X₉ and X₁₂ are each independentlyselected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N; X₁₀and X₁₁ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo, N and R₁₀; X₁₉ is selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—C(O)NH₂, C—C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N; X₁₈ is selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—NHC(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C-halo and N; or when X₁₉ is CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), or C-halo then X₁₈ may additionally be selected fromC—C(O)NH₂ and C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂; X₁₃ and X₁₇ are each independentlyselected from: O, S, NH and N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl); X₂₂ and X₂₄ are eachindependently selected from: CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), O, S, NH, NMe and

C═O; X₂₃ is selected from: CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, NH andNMe; or when either X₂₂ or X₂₄ are other than

C═O then X₂₃ may additionally be

C═O or

S(O)₂; X₂₅ is selected from: O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈and X₂₉ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N; such that a maximum of two of X₂₆,X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are selected from C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N;X₃₀ is selected from: CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe, O, S and

C═O; X₃₁ is selected from: CH₂, NH and NMe; or when X₃₀ is other than

C═O, O or S then X₃₁ may additionally be

C═O or O; X₃₂ is selected from: CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe and

C═O; X₃₃ is selected from: CH₂, NH and NMe; or when X₃₂ is other than

C═O then X₃₃ may additionally be

C═O or O; X₃₄ is selected from: NH and NMe; R₁₀ is selected from:

wherein: T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are each independently selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N; such that a maximum of one of T₁, T₂, T₃and T₄ is C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂ orC-halo; T₅ is selected from: O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉and T₁₀ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo andN; such that a maximum of two of T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are selectedfrom C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-haloand N; T₁₁ is selected from: CH₂, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₁₂ is selectedfrom: CH₂, NH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and

C═O; T₁₃ and T₁₄ are each independently selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and C-halo; T₁₅ is selected from: O, NH andN(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₁₆ is selected from: CH₂ and

C═O; or R₁₀ is selected from: H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, NO₂, halo,CN, C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and(CH₂)_(n)—NR¹¹R¹²; wherein n is 0 or 1; and R¹¹ is selected fromC₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂,C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl),S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂,S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) andS(O)₂(aryl); and R¹² is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl. R₁₃ is selectedfrom: C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and(CH₂)_(n)—NR¹⁴R¹⁵; wherein n is 0 or 1; and R¹⁴ is selected from H,C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂,C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl),S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂,S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) andS(O)₂(aryl); and R¹⁵ is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl.
 2. A method ofinhibiting a cysteine proteinase in a subject, said method comprisingadministering to the subject a pharmacologically effective amount of apharmaceutical or veterinary composition of formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, complex or pro-drug thereof,

wherein: one of R³ and R⁴ is H, and the other is selected fromC₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-haloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂-aralkyl; or R³ and R⁴are each independently selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl and halo; R⁹ is selectedfrom the following:

wherein: X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ are each independentlyselected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N; suchthat a maximum of two of X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ areselected from N, C-halo and C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy); X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are eachindependently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy),C-halo, N and C—OH; such that a maximum of one of X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ isN, C-halo, C—OH or C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy); X₉ and X₁₂ are each independentlyselected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N; X₁₀and X₁₁ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo, N and R₁₀; X₁₉ is selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—C(O)NH₂, C—C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N; X₁₈ is selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—NHC(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C-halo and N; or when X₁₉ is CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), or C-halo then X₁₈ may additionally be selected fromC—C(O)NH₂ and C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂; X₁₃ and X₁₇ are each independentlyselected from: O, S, NH and N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl); X₂₂ and X₂₄ are eachindependently selected from: CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), O, S, NH, NMe and

C═O; X₂₃ is selected from: CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, NH andNMe; or when either X₂₂ or X₂₄ are other than

C═O then X₂₃ may additionally be

C═O or

S(O)₂; X₂₅ is selected from: O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈and X₂₉ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N; such that a maximum of two of X₂₆,X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are selected from C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N;X₃₀ is selected from: CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe, O, S and

C═O; X₃₁ is selected from: CH₂, NH and NMe; or when X₃₀ is other than

C═O, O or S then X₃₁ may additionally be

C═O or O; X₃₂ is selected from: CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe and

C═O; X₃₃ is selected from: CH₂, NH and NMe; or when X₃₂ is other than

C═O then X₃₃ may additionally be

C═O or O; X₃₄ is selected from: NH and NMe; R₁₀ is selected from:

wherein: T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are each independently selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N; such that a maximum of one of T₁, T₂, T₃and T₄ is C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂ orC-halo; T₅ is selected from: O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉and T₁₀ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo andN; such that a maximum of two of T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are selectedfrom C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-haloand N; T₁₁ is selected from: CH₂, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₁₂ is selectedfrom: CH₂, NH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and

C═O; T₁₃ and T₁₄ are each independently selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and C-halo; T₁₅ is selected from: O, NH andN(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₁₆ is selected from: CH₂ and

C═O; or R₁₀ is selected from: H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, NO₂, halo,CN, C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and(CH₂)_(n)—NR¹¹R¹²; wherein n is 0 or 1; and R¹¹ is selected fromC₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂,C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl),S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂,S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) andS(O)₂(aryl); and R¹² is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl. R₁₃ is selectedfrom: C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and(CH₂)_(n)—NR¹⁴R¹⁵; wherein n is 0 or 1; and R¹⁴ is selected from H,C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂,C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl),S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂,S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) andS(O)₂(aryl); and R¹⁵ is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the cysteine proteinase is a CAC1 cysteineproteinase.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the CAC1cysteine proteinase is cathepsin S.
 5. A method of treating a diseaseselected from rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myastheniagravis, transplant rejection, diabetes, Sjogrens syndrome, Grave'sdisease, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis,idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, allergic rhinitis, asthma,atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease andchronic pain in a subject, said method comprising administering to asubject with said disease a pharmacologically effective amount of apharmaceutical or veterinary composition of formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, complex or pro-drug thereof,

wherein: one of R³ and R⁴ is H, and the other is selected fromC₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-haloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂-aralkyl; or R³ and R⁴are each independently selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl and halo; R⁹ is selectedfrom the following:

wherein: X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ are each independentlyselected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N; suchthat a maximum of two of X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ areselected from N, C-halo and C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy); X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are eachindependently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy),C-halo, N and C—OH; such that a maximum of one of X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ isN, C-halo, C—OH or C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy); X₉ and X₁₂ are each independentlyselected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N; X₁₀and X₁₁ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo, N and R₁₀; X₁₉ is selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—C(O)NH₂, C—C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N; X₁₈ is selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—NHC(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C-halo and N; or when X₁₉ is CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), or C-halo then X₁₈ may additionally be selected fromC—C(O)NH₂ and C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂; X₁₃ and X₁₇ are each independentlyselected from: O, S, NH and N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl); X₂₂ and X₂₄ are eachindependently selected from: CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), O, S, NH, NMe and

C═O; X₂₃ is selected from: CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, NH andNMe; or when either X₂₂ or X₂₄ are other than

C═O then X₂₃ may additionally be

C═O or

S(O)₂; X₂₅ is selected from: O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈and X₂₉ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N; such that a maximum of two of X₂₆,X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are selected from C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N;X₃₀ is selected from: CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe, O, S and

C═O; X₃₁ is selected from: CH₂, NH and NMe; or when X₃₀ is other than

C═O, O or S then X₃₁ may additionally be

C═O or O; X₃₂ is selected from: CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe and

C═O; X₃₃ is selected from: CH₂, NH and NMe; or when X₃₂ is other than

C═O then X₃₃ may additionally be

C═O or O; X₃₄ is selected from: NH and NMe; R₁₀ is selected from:

wherein: T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are each independently selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N; such that a maximum of one of T₁, T₂, T₃and T₄ is C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂ orC-halo; T₅ is selected from: O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉and T₁₀ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo andN; such that a maximum of two of T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are selectedfrom C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-haloand N; T₁₁ is selected from: CH₂, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₁₂ is selectedfrom: CH₂, NH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and

C═O; T₁₃ and T₁₄ are each independently selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and C-halo; T₁₅ is selected from: O, NH andN(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₁₆ is selected from: CH₂ and

C═O; or R₁₀ is selected from: H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, NO₂, halo,CN, C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and(CH₂)_(n)—NR¹¹R¹²; wherein n is 0 or 1; and R¹¹ is selected fromC₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂,C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl),S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂,S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) andS(O)₂(aryl); and R¹² is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl. R₁₃ is selectedfrom: C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and(CH₂)_(n)—NR¹⁴R¹⁵; wherein n is 0 or 1; and R¹⁴ is selected from H,C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂,C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl),S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂,S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) andS(O)₂(aryl); and R¹⁵ is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl, said processcomprising admixing said compound with a pharmaceutically acceptable orveterinarily acceptable diluent, excipient and/or carrier.
 6. A methodof validating a known or putative cysteine proteinase as a therapeutictarget, the method comprising: (a) assessing the in vitro binding of acomposition to an isolated or known putative cysteine proteinase,providing a measure of potency; and optionally, one or more of the stepsof: (b) assessing the binding of said composition to closely relatedhomologous proteinases of the target and general housekeepingproteinases (e.g. trypsin) to provide a measure of selectivity; (c)monitoring a cell-based functional marker of a particular cysteineproteinase activity in the presence of said composition; and (d)monitoring an animal model-based functional marker of a particularcysteine proteinase activity in the presence of said composition;wherein said composition comprises formula (I), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, hydrate, complex or pro-drug thereof,

wherein: one of R³ and R⁴ is H, and the other is selected fromC₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-haloalkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂-aralkyl; or R³ and R⁴are each independently selected from C₁₋₆-alkyl and halo; R⁹ is selectedfrom the following:

wherein: X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ are each independentlyselected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N; suchthat a maximum of two of X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₁₄, X₁₅, X₁₆ and X₂₀ areselected from N, C-halo and C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy); X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are eachindependently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy),C-halo, N and C—OH; such that a maximum of one of X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ isN, C-halo, C—OH or C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy); X₉ and X₁₂ are each independentlyselected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo and N; X₁₀and X₁₁ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C-halo, N and R₁₀; X₁₉ is selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—C(O)NH₂, C—C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N; X₁₈ is selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—NHC(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C-halo and N; or when X₁₉ is CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), or C-halo then X₁₈ may additionally be selected fromC—C(O)NH₂ and C—C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂; X₁₃ and X₁₇ are each independentlyselected from: O, S, NH and N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl); X₂₂ and X₂₄ are eachindependently selected from: CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), O, S, NH, NMe and

C═O; X₂₃ is selected from: CH₂, CH—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, NH andNMe; or when either X₂₂ or X₂₄ are other than

C═O then X₂₃ may additionally be

C═O or

S(O)₂; X₂₅ is selected from: O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); X₂₆, X₂₇, X₂₈and X₂₉ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N; such that a maximum of two of X₂₆,X₂₇, X₂₈ and X₂₉ are selected from C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—OH, C-halo and N;X₃₀ is selected from: CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe, O, S and

C═O; X₃₁ is selected from: CH₂, NH and NMe; or when X₃₀ is other than

C═O, O or S then X₃₁ may additionally be

C═O or O; X₃₂ is selected from: CH₂, CH₂CH₂, NH, NMe and

C═O; X₃₃ is selected from: CH₂, NH and NMe; or when X₃₂ is other than

C═O then X₃₃ may additionally be

C═O or O; X₃₄ is selected from: NH and NMe; R₁₀ is selected from:

wherein: T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are each independently selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo and N; such that a maximum of one of T₁, T₂, T₃and T₄ is C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂ orC-halo; T₅ is selected from: O, S, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉and T₁₀ are each independently selected from: CH, C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl),C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-halo andN; such that a maximum of two of T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉ and T₁₀ are selectedfrom C—(C₁₋₆-alkoxy), C—NH₂, C—NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C-haloand N; T₁₁ is selected from: CH₂, NH and N(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₁₂ is selectedfrom: CH₂, NH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and

C═O; T₁₃ and T₁₄ are each independently selected from: CH,C—(C₁₋₆-alkyl) and C-halo; T₁₅ is selected from: O, NH andN(C₁₋₆-alkyl); T₁₆ is selected from: CH₂ and

C═O; or R₁₀ is selected from: H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, NO₂, halo,CN, C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and(CH₂)_(n)—NR¹¹R¹²; wherein n is 0 or 1; and R¹¹ is selected fromC₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂,C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl),S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂,S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) andS(O)₂(aryl); and R¹² is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl. R₁₃ is selectedfrom: C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂, S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl),S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) and(CH₂)_(n)—NR¹⁴R¹⁵; wherein n is 0 or 1; and R¹⁴ is selected from H,C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(O)(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)(aryl), C(O)NH₂,C(O)NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, C(O)NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl),C(O)O(C₁₋₆-alkyl), C(O)O(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), C(O)O(aryl),S(O)₂(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl), S(O)₂NH₂,S(O)₂NH(C₁₋₆-alkyl), S(O)₂N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, S(O)₂NH(C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl) andS(O)₂(aryl); and R¹⁵ is selected from H and C₁₋₆-alkyl.